Lok Sabha Question No. 29 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Generation Capacity of Atomic Power Plants Stations
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 29

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.11.2016

## GENERATION CAPACITY

## 29. SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the generation capacity of atomic power plants has been optimized consequent to the satisfactory and sustained rate of fuel inputs and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) how fruitful have been the efforts to explore and tap the potential for mining uranium within India;
- (c) whether the target for various reactors and allied plants of the Atomic Energy Commission has been revised; and
- (d) if so, the quantum of enhanced operational expenditure at these stations?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Based  on  the  availability  of  fuel  supply  from  both  indigenous  sources  and imports,  the  nuclear  power  reactors  are  presently  operating  close  to  their rated capacity.
- (b) Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent  unit  of  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  (DAE)  is  engaged  in exploration and prospecting of uranium deposits across the country. Uranium resources  have  already  been  established  in  Jharkhand,  Andhra  Pradesh, Telengana, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Meghalaya. With the plans for achieving self sufficiency in uranium, exploration activities in these areas have also increased manifold.

Uranium  resources  established in Jharkhand  are  under  development  / production by Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL). Jharkhand accounts

…2

for about 85% of country's uranium production.

UCIL is setting up a new mine and plant at Tummalapalle in Andhra Pradesh. The mineralisation in this area is in a complex host rock. A new technology has  been  indigenously  developed  to  process  this  ore.    The  area  has  large mineral  resource  and  actions  have  already  been  initiated  to  expand  the operations around Tummalapalle.

- (c) Yes,  Sir.    Annual  generation  targets  of  nuclear  power  reactors  have  been arrived  at  considering  the  fuel  availability,  planned  maintenance  shutdowns, refurbishment  /  Renovation  and  Modernization  and  new  capacity  additions etc.  Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy  (DAE)  is  responsible  for  fabrication  of  fuel  bundles  for  indigenous nuclear power reactors.  The targets of NFC have been revised based on the requirement  of  Nuclear  Power  Plants.    Heavy  Water  Board  (HWB),  a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) supplies Heavy Water required for the indigenous nuclear power reactors.  The present Heavy Water production capacity is sufficient  to  meet  the  requirements of  Nuclear  Power Plants.  Therefore, the production capacity has not been revised.
- (d) In view of sustained and continuous operation for longer durations, there has been  an  increase  in  fuel  &  heavy  water  and  Operation  &  Maintenance expenditure at Indian Nuclear Power Plants. The details are as follows:

| Expenditure Item        |   2012-13 |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |
|-------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Fuel & Heavy Water      |      2631 |      2734 |      2868 |      2965 |
| Operation & Maintenance |       621 |       655 |       812 |       836 |

The quantum of additional production cost at NFC from 2013-14 to 2014-15 is to the tune of around ` 624 crore and that from 2014-15 to 2015-16 is about ` 498 crore approximately.

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