India's Installed Nuclear Power Capacity Likely To Reach Over 22,400 MW By 2031: Govt

The government on Thursday (24 March) informed the Parliament that as many as 22 nuclear power plants with power generation capacity of 6,780 megawatt (MW) are operational in the country at present and the capacity is set to be increased to 22480 MW by the year 2031 .

"The present installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 6780 MW comprising of 22 operational nuclear power reactors. In addition, one reactor, KAPP-3 (700 MW) has also been connected to the grid in January- 2021," Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

The minister said that India is not very rich in fossil fuel resources and considering the large and growing energy demand, all energy sources are deployed optimally.

Nuclear power is a clean and environment friendly base load source of electricity generation, which is available 24x7. It also has a huge potential and can provide the country long term energy security in a sustainable manner, Singh said.

Expansion of nuclear power capacity will help in the country’s energy transition for meeting the goal of net zero economy, he added.

The existing nuclear power capacity of 6780 MW is going to be increased to 22480 MW by the year 2031 on progressive completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction, the minister said.

More nuclear power plants are also planned in future.

In reply to a separate question, Singh said that there are presently 11 reactors under construction at various stages (including KAPP-3 (700 MW) connected to grid) totaling to 8,700 MW.

The government has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for construction 10 indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to be set up in fleet mode, he said.

On progressive completion of the projects under construction (8,700 MW) and accorded sanction (7,000 MW), the nuclear capacity is expected to reach 22480 MW by 2031, Singh informed.

The minister added that the government has also accorded ‘In-Principle’ approval for five new sites for locating more nuclear power plants.