Lok Sabha Question No. 6105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Capacity Addition in Nuclear Power Projects
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: MAUSAM NOOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6105

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## CAPACITY ADDITION IN NUCLEAR POWER PROJECTS

6105.  SHRIMATI MAUSAM NOOR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  the  installed  capacity  of nuclear power projects has reportedly been below the estimated target fixed by  the  Government  despite  regular  expenditure  escalation  and  if  so,  the details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  reaction  of  the Government thereto; and
- (b) the targets fixed by the Government for nuclear capacity addition during each of  the  last  three  years  along  with  the  details  of  actual  installed  nuclear capacity during the said period?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The  setting  up  of  Nuclear  Power  Projects  (NPPs)  is  characterized  by  long drawn pre-project activities comprising of land acquisition, obtaining statutory clearances, accord of Government approval and commencement of work. The NPPs require  exacting  standards  equipment  which  are  being  sourced  from domestic  industry  for  setting  up  commercial  indigenous  Pressurized  Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). The delay in setting up of NPPs have impacted the estimated target, mainly on account of delay in the  process of land acquisition,  obtaining  statutory  clearances,  delay  in  supply  of  long  delivery equipment,  local  protests  and  financial  crisis  of  domestic  vendors.  The memory  effect,  post  Fukushima  accident  also  lowered  the  sentiments  and added to the local protests.

The  government  has  taken  several  enabling  steps  to  increase  the  nuclear power capacity and to provide adequate quantity of fuel. These include:

- (i) Resolution  of  issues  related  to  Civil  Liability  for  Nuclear  Damage (CLND) Act & creation of Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP).
- (ii) Accord  of  administrative  approval  and  financial  sanction  of  -  ten  (10) indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to be set up in fleet mode & two (02) units of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) to be set up in cooperation with Russian Federation.
- (iii) Amendment of the Atomic Energy Act to enable Joint Ventures of Public Sector Companies to set up nuclear power projects.
- (iv) Entering  into  enabling  agreements  with  foreign  countries  for  nuclear power cooperation including supply of fuel.
- (v) Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has provided loans to vendors to address their financial crisis.
- (vi) NPCIL has instituted an ongoing structured public outreach programme based on a multipronged approach to address the apprehensions of the people about safety of nuclear power and related issues and allay their concerns in a credible manner.
- (vii) Enhanced project monitoring to identify and address the issues affecting project progress at multiple levels coupled with close monitoring through Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation 'PRAGATI' platform.

## (b) The details are as follows:

| Year    | Capacity Addition (MW)   | Capacity Addition (MW)   |
|---------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
| Year    | Target                   | Actual                   |
| 2014-15 | -                        | 1000                     |
| 2015-16 | 1400                     | -                        |
| 2016-17 | 1400                     | 1000                     |

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