New Delhi, June 25: India’s Nuclear Power generation capacity is to increase by around 70 percent in the next five years, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday.
He was convening a high-level meeting to review the 100-day Action Plan of the Department of Atomic Energy here. This is the first Atomic Energy-related meeting convened by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh after he reassumed charge as Minister in the Modi Government 3.0.
Highlighting India’s progress in nuclear energy and renewable energy in the energy landscape, Dr Singh said, “Installed capacity of 7.48 GWe will become 13.08 GWe by 2029, which is over 70 percent increase with the addition of 7 new reactors.” He took stock of the already operational projects and gave directions for upcoming plans.
The union minister directed the department to integrate and collaborate to harness full potential, by capacity building and sharing of knowledge, resources and expertise. He emphasised on indigenous development of technology, saying, “Indigenous technology development and promoting energy security should be our priority.”
Dr Jitendra recalled that this government has allowed joint ventures with public sector units, increasing budget through collaboration, use of next-generation technologies and increasing cooperation.
Speaking on the ease of doing research and scaling up activities, he said, “We are giving single-point approval to promote ease of science and promote ease of living for citizens by application of nuclear technology.”
He informed that the department is suitably designing the 220MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) to use a Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) for captive nuclear power generation. “The DAE is also working on Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) 220 MW to use light water-based reactors by replacing Calandria with a pressure vessel,” he said
According to Dr Singh, BHAVINI, a public sector undertaking is in progress to complete the initial fuel loading of the Prototype Fast Breeder reactor and its first approach to criticality is expected in the coming months. This is the first fast breeder reactor to produce more fuel than it consumes, he added.
The minister said that along with energy security, health and food security, radiopharmaceuticals & nuclear medicine, agriculture, and food preservation should also be focused. “The development in radiation technology will lead to economic and societal benefits for common citizens and promote ease of living and promote research in basic, applied and translational sciences using subatomic particles,” he said
Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy along with senior officials of the department were present for the review meeting.
