India’s nuclear power set for dramatic growth

CHENNAI: Continuing its march towards nuclear power sufficiency, India will have eight 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) installed during the 11th Plan. Also in the pipeline are three 500 MW Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) and one Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR). These reactors will be operational in five years.

“The drawings are ready and sites for four PHWRs have got clearance from the ministry of environment and forests. Work will begin as soon as the Department of Atomic Energy gets the nod from the government,” Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) chairman SK Jain said on Monday.

Jain, who is also the chairman of Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (Bhavini), the DAE undertaking responsible for construction and maintenance of FBRs, said two of the three new FBRs will be located at Kalpakkam. A special team is on the job of identifying sites for future reactors.

The twin VVER-1000 reactors at Koodankulam will be operational by next year, he said, adding that India needs 10 more 1,000 MW PHWRs to meet the “additional needs of the DAE.”

India has enough uranium for 10,000 MWs and it’s production will be doubled this year, he added.