Lok Sabha Question No. 1401 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-28
Subject: Nuclear Energy
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas, Sunil Baburao Mendhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1401 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2021

## NUCLEAR ENERGY

## 1401.  MS. RAMYA HARIDAS: SHRI SUNIL BABURAO MENDHE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the nuclear energy is the cheapest source of energy compared to other traditional sources of energy;
- (b) if  so,  the  number of nuclear power plants which are generating energy in the country and comparative power generated by each of them;
- (c) whether any incident leading to risk to human lives has occurred during the last three years and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether proper safeguards are in place in each of the power plants and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  planned  to  commission  more  nuclear  power plants and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Tariffs  of  electricity  generated  by  nuclear  power  are  comparable  to  those  of contemporary conventional base load generators like thermal power.
- (b) The present installed nuclear power capacity comprises of 22 reactors with a total  capacity  of  6780  MW.  In  addition,  one  reactor,  KAPP-3  (700  MW)  has been  connected  to  the  grid  on  January  10,  2021.  The  details  are  given  in Annexure .
- (c) No, Sir.

- (d) Yes, Sir.  Highest priority is accorded to safety in all aspects of nuclear power viz. siting, design, construction, commissioning, and operation. Nuclear power plants  are  designed  adopting  safety  principles  of  redundancy,  diversity  and provide  fail-safe  design  features  following  a  defence-in-depth  approach.  This ensures that there are multiple barriers between the source of radioactivity and the environment.

The  operations  are  performed  adopting  well  laid  out  procedures  by  highly qualified,  trained  and  licensed  personnel.  Appropriate  Personal  Protection Equipment and monitoring aids are provided to all the personnel working in the nuclear power plants.

- (e) Yes, Sir.  There are presently 22 reactors with a total capacity of 6780 MW in operation and one reactor, KAPP-3 (700 MW) has been connected to the grid on  January  10,  2021.  In  addition,  there  are  10  reactors  (including  500  MW PFBR being implemented by BHAVINI) totaling to 8000 MW under construction at various stages.

The Government has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for construction of 10 indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to be set up in fleet mode. On progressive completion of the projects under construction and accorded sanction, the nuclear capacity is expected to reach  22480  MW  by  2031.  More  nuclear  power  plants  are  also  planned  in future.

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## Annexure

| State         | Location   | Unit     |   Capacity (MW) |
|---------------|------------|----------|-----------------|
| Maharashtra   | Tarapur    | TAPS-1 & |             160 |
| Maharashtra   | Tarapur    | TAPS-2 & |             160 |
| Maharashtra   | Tarapur    | TAPS-3   |             540 |
| Maharashtra   | Tarapur    | TAPS-4   |             540 |
| Rajasthan     | Rawatbhata | RAPS-1 @ |             100 |
| Rajasthan     | Rawatbhata | RAPS-2   |             200 |
| Rajasthan     | Rawatbhata | RAPS-3   |             220 |
| Rajasthan     | Rawatbhata | RAPS-4   |             220 |
| Rajasthan     | Rawatbhata | RAPS-5   |             220 |
| Rajasthan     | Rawatbhata | RAPS-6   |             220 |
| Tamil Nadu    | Kalpakkam  | MAPS-1 & |             220 |
| Tamil Nadu    | Kalpakkam  | MAPS-2   |             220 |
| Tamil Nadu    | Kudankulam | KKNPP-1  |            1000 |
| Tamil Nadu    | Kudankulam | KKNPP-2  |            1000 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Narora     | NAPS-1   |             220 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Narora     | NAPS-2   |             220 |
| Gujarat       | Kakrapar   | KAPS-1   |             220 |
| Gujarat       | Kakrapar   | KAPS-2   |             220 |
| Karnataka     | Kaiga      | KGS-1    |             220 |
| Karnataka     | Kaiga      | KGS-2    |             220 |
| Karnataka     | Kaiga      | KGS-3    |             220 |
| Karnataka     | Kaiga      | KGS-4    |             220 |