Indian Defense Forum 
- Jan 26, 2024
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India Expands Nuclear Power Generation Capacity to 35.3 GW With 25 Operational Reactors, Eyes Private Investment
Story by Srishti Choudhary• 20h•
3 min read
Union Minister of State (Science & Technology) Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that India is keen to expand nuclear power as a clean energy source. (X)© Copyright (C) new18.com. All Rights Reserved.
India has ramped up its nuclear power generation capacity to 35.3 GW with 25 reactors now operational, the government told Parliament on Wednesday, as it sets its sights on boosting private investment for further expansion.
A 700 MW Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS)-7 was recently connected to the grid on March 17 taking the total installed capacity in the country to 8,880 MW – almost double from 4,780 MW in 2014. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Union Minister of State (Science & Technology) Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that India is keen to expand nuclear power as a clean energy source and has already opened the doors for private players.
MEGA NUCLEAR PUSH
While Rajasthan now houses seven of India’s 25 operational reactors, a new reactor has been approved for Gorakhnagar in Haryana to expand the nuclear infrastructure beyond the traditional strongholds in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.There is currently no operating nuclear power reactor in Madhya Pradesh, but financial sanction has already been granted for setting up a 2X700 MW nuclear power project at Chutka in Mandla district which has completed most procedural formalities, including environmental clearance and land acquisition. “But the challenges due to resettlement and rehabilitation are being addressed in consultation with the state government,” the minister informed.
“While ‘in principle’ approval of the site at Bhimpur in Shivpuri district for locating four nuclear power reactors of 700 MW each has been granted, it is awaiting final arrangements for water supply,” Dr Singh told Parliament, hinting at further expansion under the Nuclear Mission could eventually include the Khandwa region as well.
Meanwhile, the government said it is also actively pursuing environmental clearances for uranium exploration in Rajasthan, and once secured, the state will contribute significantly to India’s uranium reserves.
The statement comes amid the government’s renewed push for nuclear energy. The latest Union Budget also announced a Rs 20,000-crore Nuclear Energy Mission aimed at deploying at least five indigenously developed small modular reactors by 2033. The Centre also plans to bring two amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liabilities For Nuclear Damages Act for active partnership with the private sector.
BUT SAFETY FIRST, EXPANSION NEXT
Responding to concerns over safety, the minister told Parliament that nuclear power reactors are constructed to the highest quality standards, and the operations are performed using well-laid-out procedures. “The plants are provided with fail-safe design features to ensure there are multiple barriers between the source of radioactivity and the environment,” he added.He also assured there is a robust internal and independent regulatory mechanism in place and periodic monitoring is carried out every three months during construction, biannual checks during operation, and a comprehensive review every five years both by NPCIL and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). “Radiation levels in India’s nuclear plants remain significantly below the safety threshold, with a steady decline in radiation generation over the years,” he added.
On nuclear waste disposal, the minister told Parliament that each nuclear plant stores its waste on-site for the first five to seven years, after which it is shifted to an ‘Away from Reactor’ facility for long-term storage and eventual re-use.
With major concerns related to Kudankulam and Kalpakkam being used as waste repositories, he said their radiation levels have reduced over the years, and each plant is self-sufficient in waste management.
