Lok Sabha Question No. 2171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-15
Subject: Targets for Nuclear Power Production
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: KALIKESH NARAYAN SINGH DEO, BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2171

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2017

## TARGETS FOR NUCLEAR POWER PRODUCTION

2171.  SHRI KALIKESH N. SINGH DEO: SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government,  in  2014,  had  set  a  target  of  tripling  the  then  existing nuclear power capacity by 2024;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the additional nuclear power generated across the country  since  2014  along  with  the  share  of  nuclear  power  in  the  total  electricity generation of the country as on date;
- (c) whether there is a gap between nuclear power capacity and generation in some of the Nuclear Plants in the country and if so, the details thereof, nuclear plant-wise and the reasons therefor along with the total capacity and generation from nuclear plants of the country, nuclear plant-wise;
- (d) the  other  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  the  share  of nuclear power in total electricity generated across the country; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to promote domestic manufacturing of components of nuclear power plant and if so, the details thereof along with 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)&(b)The Government, in July 2014, had announced tripling of the then existing nuclear power  capacity  of  4780  MW  in  the  next  ten  years.  With  the  commencement  of commercial operation of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP), Unit-1 (1000 MW)  in  December  2014,  the  installed  nuclear  power  capacity  in  the  country  has reached 5780 MW. In addition, KKNPP, Unit-2 (1000 MW) has been connected to the grid for the first time in August 2016 and is presently generating infirm power. On commencement of commercial  operation  of  KKNPP-2,  the  installed  nuclear  power capacity in the country will reach to 6780 MW.

Further, four reactors with a total capacity of 2800 MW are under construction and four more reactors with a total capacity of 3400 MW have been accorded sanction by the  Government.    Bharatiya  Nabhikiya  Vidyut  Nigam  Limited  (BHAVINI),  a  public sector company under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is constructing one 500 MWe capacity Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. PFBR is expected to be fully functional by October 2017.  On progressive completion of these projects, the installed nuclear capacity will reach 13480 MW. More reactors, based  on  both  indigenous  technologies  and  with  foreign  cooperation,  are  also planned in future.

The  present  share  of  nuclear  energy  in  the  country  is  about  3.2%  in  the  current financial year 2016-17 (up to Feb-2017).

- (c) The nuclear power plants in the country are operating close to their rated capacity.
- (d) The  share  of nuclear power  in total electricity generation is planned  to be progressively increased by addition of nuclear power capacity on the basis of a large expansion  programme  based  on  both  indigenous  technology  and  with  foreign technical  cooperation.  In  this  regard,  the  government  has  taken  several  enabling steps  to  increase  the  nuclear  power  capacity  and  to  provide  adequate  quantity  of fuel.  These  include  according  of  'In  principle'  approval  of  sites  for  locating  future reactors based both on indigenous technologies and with foreign technical cooperation;  entering  into  enabling  agreements  with  foreign  countries  for  nuclear cooperation including supply of fuel; amendment of the Atomic Energy Act to enable Joint  Ventures  of  Public  Sector  Companies  to  set  up  nuclear  power  projects  and creation of India Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP) for resolving issues arising out of Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010.
- (e) The components for indigenous reactors are already being manufactured to exacting standards by the Indian industry. In respect of components / equipment of reactors to be  set  up  with  foreign  technical  cooperation,  the  government  is  facilitating  foreign manufacturers and Indian industry to reach agreements to enable them to manufacture these equipments in the country.

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