Lok Sabha Question No. 1469 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-27
Subject: Promotion of Atomic Energy based Power Plants
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: P. Ravindhranath, Jyotirmay Singh Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1469

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2019

## PROMOTION OF ATOMIC ENERGY BASED POWER PLANTS

1469.  SHRI P. RAVEENDRANATH KUMAR: SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  promote  atomic  energy  based power plants in order to overcome the power crisis in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether power generation through Atomic Energy is economical as compared to traditional sources like coal based thermal power;
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to increase atomic power generation across the country, in the upcoming four years; and
- (d) whether  any  policy/guidelines  have  been  framed  for  allocation  of  power generated from atomic power plant and if so, the details thereof, as on date?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir.  Nuclear power is clean and environment friendly, apart from having a huge potential to ensure the country's long term energy security.  A large nuclear power expansion programme is being implemented towards this end. The  present  installed  nuclear  power  capacity  of  6780  MW  is  expected  to reach  22480  MW  on  progressive  completion  of  projects  under  construction and sanctioned projects.
- (b) The tariffs of electricity generated by nuclear power are comparable to those of the contemporary conventional base load power generating units like coal based thermal power located in the area/region.

- (c) To increase the share of nuclear power generation, the government has taken several steps to increase the nuclear power capacity and to provide adequate quantity of fuel. These include:
- i. 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.
- ii. Creation  of  Indian  Nuclear  Insurance  Pool  (INIP)  in  the  context  of implementation of Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act.
- 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.

In the next four years, a capacity of 5300 MW comprising of Seven (7) reactor units under construction is expected to be added, taking the installed nuclear power capacity from 6780 MW to 12080 MW.

- (d) The power generated by nuclear power plants is allocated by the Ministry of Power (MoP) to the various beneficiary States / Union territories in the region. As  per  the  extant  MoP  guidelines,  50%  of  power  is  allocated  to  the  Home State, 15% is retained as unallocated power for allocation by the Government for  meeting  the  urgent/overall  requirement  and  the  remaining  35%  is  to  be allocated  to  other  beneficiaries  (except  home  state)  in  accordance  with  the pattern of  central  plan  assistance  and  energy  consumption  during  the previous five years, both factors having equal weightage.

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