Share of Nuclear Energy in Electricity Generation

The share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country was about 3.4% in the year 2015-16. 

The share of nuclear power in total electricity generation is planned to be progressively increased by addition of nuclear power capacity. The present capacity of 5780 MW will reach 6780 MW by the end of this financial year, with the commercial operation of Kudankulam Unit-2, which is already generating infirm power at the rated capacity. The capacity is expected to reach 9580 MW by 2020 on progressive completion of projects under construction and about 12980 MW by 2024 on completion of new projects accorded sanction. A large expansion programme based on both indigenous technologies and with foreign technical cooperation is planned in future.  

Safety Measures at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

The Kudankulam reactors deploy passive safety features, namely the Passive Decay Heat Removal System, additional system for Core Passive Flooding, Passive Filtering Systems, etc. Post Fukushima, a task force of NPCIL constituted for safety evaluation found KKNPP design to be safe. However, to enhance further the safety level, the task force suggested 17 recommendations, all of which have been implemented.  These measures have already bolstered the safety systems and are the most current. 

A site at Haripur in West Bengal has been accorded ‘in principle’ approval by the Government for locating six units of 1000 MW or higher capacity in technical cooperation with Russian Federation. Subsequently, as an alternative to the Haripur Site, the possibility of a coastal site in the state of Andhra Pradesh is also being examined by the Site Selection Committee of the Government to locate nuclear power plants with Russian technical cooperation. 

The Government had accorded ‘in principle’ approval for the site at Kovvada in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh for setting up six Light Water Reactors in cooperation with the USA. Pre-project activities including land acquisition, obtaining statutory clearances and detailed site investigations are continuing at the site. In parallel, discussions on the techno-commercial aspects with M/s Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) to arrive at a project proposal have also started.