Nuclear Power Capacity Expansion in India
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Article Summary
The provided article discusses the current status of operational nuclear power plants in India, including their capacities, refurbishment projects, and future developments. Below is the summary:
Summary
Current Nuclear Capacity: India has an installed nuclear power capacity of 8,780 MW comprised of 24 reactors. The RAPS-1 (100 MW) is excluded from this capacity as it is under long-term shutdown.
Operational Reactors: Out of the total reactors, 20 are operational, while 4 reactors are currently undergoing refurbishment and upgrade. These include:
- Tarapur Atomic Power Station: Units 1 & 2 (2 x 160 MW)
- Madras Atomic Power Station: Unit 1 (1 x 220 MW)
- Kaiga Atomic Power Station: Unit 1 (1 x 220 MW)
Ongoing Projects: Various projects are under construction and pre-project activities, with expected completion timelines which would significantly increase the nuclear capacity by 2032. Key projects are as follows:
Projects Under Construction:
- Rajasthan: Rawatbhata - RAPP-8 (1 x 700 MW)
- Tamil Nadu:
- Kudankulam - KKNPP-3 & 4 (2 x 1000 MW)
- KKNPP-5 & 6 (2 x 1000 MW)
- Kalpakkam - PFBR (1 x 500 MW)
- Haryana: Gorakhpur - GHAVP-1 & 2 (2 x 700 MW)
Projects Under Pre-Project Activities:
- Karnataka: Kaiga - Kaiga-5 & 6 (2 x 700 MW)
- Haryana: Gorakhpur - GHAVP-3 & 4 (2 x 700 MW)
- Madhya Pradesh: Chutka - Chutka-1 & 2 (2 x 700 MW)
- Rajasthan: Mahi (Banswara) - Units 1 & 2 (2 x 700 MW) and Units 3 & 4 (2 x 700 MW)
Future Capacity Projections: With the progressive completion of ongoing projects, India's installed nuclear power capacity is projected to rise to 22,380 MW by the year 2032.
Detailed Reactor Information:
- Tarapur has two operational units (3 & 4) while units 1 & 2 are in refurbishment.
- The Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project, with a planned capacity of 2,800 MW, is currently in pre-project activities, including acquiring land and obtaining environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), along with siting consent from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
Official Statements: This update was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for various departments, including the Department of Atomic Energy, during a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Important Sentences
- India has an installed nuclear power capacity of 8,780 MW with 24 reactors.
- 20 reactors are currently operational, while 4 are undergoing refurbishment.
- Major projects currently under construction aim to increase capacity to 22,380 MW by 2032.
- Significant facilities include Kudankulam and Tarapur, with refurbishments underway for older units.
- The Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project is in progress with significant environmental approval status.
- The statement regarding this nuclear capacity was made by Dr. Jitendra Singh in the Lok Sabha, reflecting ongoing government efforts in nuclear infrastructure development.
This comprehensive overview focuses on the factual status of India's nuclear power developments, reflecting the government's initiatives in expanding energy capacity through nuclear power generation.
Key Terms & Concepts
| Nuclear Power Plants | Primary energy source |
| RAPS-1 | Nuclear reactor under shutdown |
| Tarapur Atomic Power Station | Location of multiple reactors |
| Madras Atomic Power Station | Nuclear reactor location |
| Kaiga Atomic Power Station | Nuclear reactor facility |
| BHAVINI | Implementing authority |
| Anushakti Vidyut Nigam Limited | Assigned organization |
| MoEFCC | Environmental clearance authority |
| AERB | Regulatory authority for site |




