'In-Principle' Approval Given For Setting Up Six Nuclear Power Reactors With Total Capacity Of 9,900 MW At Jaitapur: Govt

Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh on Thursday (16 December) said that the government has accorded ‘In-Principle’ approval of the site at Jaitapur in Maharashtra for setting up six nuclear power reactors of 1,650 MW each in technical cooperation with France which would make it the largest nuclear power generating site with a total capacity of 9,900 MW.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Singh informed that the project is proposed to be setup at Jaitapur site in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

He said presently techno-commercial discussions to arrive at the project proposal with EDF, a French multinational electric utility company, are in progress, according to a Department of Atomic Energy release.

In a separate written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on nuclear power capacity, Singh informed that the present installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 6,780 MW and the share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country is about 3.1 per cent in the year 2020-21.

The minister said that nuclear power is clean and environment friendly, apart from having a huge potential to ensure the country’s long term energy security on a sustainable basis. The nuclear power plants have so far generated about 755 Billion Units of electricity saving about 650 Million tonne of CO₂ emission, the minister said.

Singh said that the net zero targets are expected to be met through a combination of various clean energy sources including nuclear power. In this context, the present nuclear power capacity of 6780 MW is planned to be increased to 22480 MW by 2031 on progressive completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction. More nuclear power reactors are planned in future, the minister said.

He added that the government has taken several measures to enhance the generation from nuclear power plants in the country. These include:

1. 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 with provision of equity support.

2. Resolution of issues related to Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act and Creation of Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP).

3. Amendment of the Atomic Energy Act to enable Joint Ventures of Public Sector Companies to set up nuclear power projects.