Government approves four sites for imported nuclear power plants

Government has accorded in-principle approval for locating nuclear power plants at Kakrapar (2 x 700 MWe) in Gujarat and Rawatbhata (2 x 700 MWe) in Rajasthan. Similar approvals have also been accorded for sites at Kudankulam and Jaitapur for setting up light water reactors through imports.

More nuclear power plants at additional sites are also planned. However, details are not yet finalised, minister of state for science and technology and earth sciences (independent charges), PMO, personnel, public grievances and pensions and parliamentary affairs, Prithviraj Chavan, stated in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Out of the total installed nuclear power capacity of 4120 MWe, 320 MWe is based on light water reactors and balance 3800 MWe is based on heavy water reactors, he said.

Nuclear power costs are competitive with that of coal fired thermal power stations at locations away from coalmines. In addition nuclear power is clean and environment friendly, as it has no green house gas (GHG) emissions, he said.

The current installed capacity of 4120 MWe will reach 7280 MWe progressively by the year 2011 by completion of projects under construction. More reactors, both of indigenous designs and based on international co-operation are planned to increase the nuclear power capacity, the minister stated.