Lok Sabha Question No. 2471 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Viability of Nuclear Power Projects
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: CHARANJEET SINGH RORI, C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2471

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## VIABILITY OF NUCLEAR POWER PROJECTS

2471.  SHRI CHARANJEET SINGH RORI: SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  about  the  target  fixed  by  the  Government  for  power  generation through new nuclear power projects in the next three years;
- (b) whether the cost of implementation of nuclear projects is higher with lesser power capacity through nuclear power plants;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  the  Government  is  planning  an alternative source of power generation to reduce the cost input for implementation  of  nuclear  power  plants  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  of  the  opinion  that  atomic  power  is  more  ecofriendly than other power sources and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government is facing any difficulties in installation of new atomic power plants; and
- (f) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) In the next three years, a capacity of 3300 MW is expected to be added by completion of  three projects under construction viz. Kakrapar Atomic Power Project  (KAPP)  3&4  (2X700  MW)  at  Kakrapar,  Gujarat,  Rajasthan  Atomic Power  Project  RAPP  7&8  (2  X  700  MW)  at  Rawatbhata,  Rajasthan  and Prototype  Fast  Breeder  Reactor  (PFBR)  (500  MW)  at  Kalpakkam,  Tamil Nadu. However, as the targets  for  nuclear  power  generation  are  set  on  an annual  basis  as  a  part  of  Nuclear  Power  Corporation  of  India  Limited's

(NPCIL's) annual Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the targets of generation including from these units for the next three years will be set in the MoUs of the respective years.

- (b)&(c)The capital cost of nuclear power plants is higher than that of other base load electricity  generating  technologies.  However,  the  energy  (fuel)  cost  is  much lower.  Thus,  the  tariff  of  electricity  generated  by  nuclear  power  plants  is comparable  to  that  of  other  contemporary  base  load  technologies  like  coal and gas. Nuclear power projects are thus viable.

Nuclear power is a clean, environment friendly technology available 24X7. It has huge potential and can ensure long term energy security of the country in a sustainable manner. It is thus being pursued along with other technologies.

The  effort  to  reduce  capital  cost  of  nuclear  power  projects  is  ongoing.  The efforts  to  optimize  the  cost  include  standardization  of  design,  reducing gestation  period  and  adopting  appropriate  business  models  to  arrive  at  an optimal cost in case of projects to be set up with foreign cooperation.

- (d) Nuclear power is eco-friendly and does not emit greenhouse gases. The life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of nuclear power are comparable to those of renewable like wind power.
- (e) There are no difficulties in setting up new nuclear power plants. However, the pre-project  activities  like  land  acquisition  at  new  sites,  obtaining  statutory environmental clearances, arriving at project proposals in respect of reactors to be set up with foreign cooperation etc. are long drawn and take time.
- (f) The pre-project activities are being expedited to enable early start of work on the projects.

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