Lok Sabha Question No. 2485 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-30
Subject: Demand and Supply of Nuclear Fuel
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB, SATYA PAL SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2485

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

## DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF NUCLEAR FUEL

2485.  SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: DR. SATYAPAL SINGH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a gap between demand and supply of nuclear fuel to Nuclear Power Plants of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof for each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise and plant-wise and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has signed agreements with foreign countries to bridge the said gap;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the nuclear fuel supplied by the foreign countries during the said period, country-wise;
- (e) the details of the indigenous supply of nuclear fuel to Nuclear Power Plants across the country during the said period,  Plant-wise; and
- (f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure adequate supply of nuclear fuel to Nuclear Power Plants?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) There are currently twenty one (21) reactors with an installed capacity of 5780  MW.  In  addition,  Kudankulam  Unit-2  (KKNPP-2  1000  MW)  has recently been connected to the grid and is presently generating infirm (noncommercial) power. The unit is expected to start commercial operation by the end of the year. Of the 22 reactors, 14 with a capacity of 4380 MW are under  IAEA  Safeguards  and  use  imported  uranium  which  is  available  in adequate quantity.  Eight (8) reactors with aggregate capacity of 2400 MW are  fuelled  by  indigenous  uranium,  of  which  there  was  a  demand  supply mismatch earlier leading to their being operated at lower power levels. This

resulted in their lower capacity utilization. However, as a result of the efforts of the Government in augmentation of fuel, the Plant Load Factor (PLF) of the  reactors fuelled by indigenous uranium has improved. There is presently no mismatch and the reactors are being operated close to their rated capacity.

- (c) Pursuant  to  the  Civil  Nuclear  cooperation,  contractual  agreements  were entered  into  with  foreign  suppliers  to  meet  the  fuel  requirements  of  the Safeguarded Nuclear Power Plants. On the other hand, fuel requirements of  the  Outside  Safeguarded  Nuclear  Power  Plants  are  met  through indigenous supplies from UCIL.
- (d) The details of import of nuclear fuel are tabulated below:
- (e) It is not in the public interest to disclose the indigenous supply of nuclear fuel to Nuclear Power Plants in the country.
- (f) Consequent upon the Civil Nuclear cooperation, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has been importing Uranium Ore to meet the Fuel requirements of safeguarded Nuclear Power Plants.  Pursuant to the receipt of  nuclear  fuel  from  foreign  sources,  all  the  safeguarded  nuclear  power plants in the country are operating at full capacity.

| Year                       | M/s. JSC TVEL Corporation, Russia   | M/s. JSC NAC Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan   | M/s. CAMECO, Canada   |
|----------------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------|
| Year                       | Quantity (MT)                       | Quantity (MT)                          | Quantity (MT)         |
| 2013-14                    | 296.31                              | 460                                    | -                     |
| 2014-15                    | 296.54                              | 283.4                                  | -                     |
| 2015-16                    | 303.78                              | Nil                                    | 250.74                |
| 2015-16                    | 42.15 *                             | Nil                                    | 250.74                |
| 2016-17 (up to 22.11.2016) | 125.76                              | 999.807                                | 742.7                 |

*******