India are looking to more than double their output of nuclear power within the next twelve years.
According to a report presented by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to India’s parliament, there are currently 21 new nuclear power reactors expected to be set up within the country by 2031. These will have a combined total installed capacity of 15,700MW.
Currently India has 22 nuclear reactors in seven power plants, with a capacity of 6,780MW. According to the DAE, the existing units are operating at their rated capacity.
The DAE also told Parliament that five new nuclear sites - with a combined total of 28 further nuclear reactors - have been given an agreement “in principle” by the central government.
Jitrendra Singh, minister of state for the Department of Atomic Energy and Prime Ministers Office broke down the upcoming nuclear projects for the upper house of the Indian Parliament (Rajya Sabha):
“At present there are nine nuclear power reactors at various stages of construction”.
These include two reactors in each of the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana, plus three in Tamil Nadu. These current projects are targeted for completion by 2024-25.
“In addition, 12 more nuclear power reactors have been accorded administrative approval and financial sanction by the government in June 2017.
“Thus, 21 nuclear power reactors, with an installed capacity of 15,700MW are under implementation, envisaged for progressive completion by the year 2031.”
The further proposed sites granted “in principle” approval are the Jaitapur plant in Maharashtra, Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh, Chhaya Mithi Virdi in Gujarat, Haripur in West Bengal and Bhimpur in Madhya Pradesh.
The minister also highlighted the ongoing discussions of project proposals for setting up a large size Light Water Reactor (LWR) in collaboration with France in the south-western state of Maharashtra, and with the United States in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
The expansion of nuclear power, which currently supplies 3.22% of Indian electricity follows a series of industry successes for the country, including a world record last month for the Kaiga reactor in Karnataka. After 941 days it became the world’s longest running reactor without a shutdown, beating the British Heysham-2 reactor which set the benchmark in 2016.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the major feat, tweeting “Congratulations to all those associated with India’s nuclear energy programme. Their untiring efforts have enhanced India’s progress. The nation is proud of them.”
With more achievements and further developments, India’s nuclear industry looks like ti will soon play a much bigger part in the country’s power output.