Nuclear Energy in India is going to quadruple in the next decade as India’s power hungry economy requires increasing amounts of energy to sustain its growth.India’s Electricity Capacity is targeted to reach 450 GW from around 160 GW at present which would require increasing the supply from all renewable energy sources as well as non-renewable sources.While Thermal Power will continue to remain the top dog with 60-70% of the capacity,Nuclear Power which forms just 3% of the current capacity is also poised to grow exponentially.India’s Nuclear Power deal with USA have paved the way for India to again part of the civilian nuclear club which would allow import of uranium fuel and nuclear technology.It would also allow Nuclear Equipment Producers like Toshiba,Areva and GE to set up Nuclear Power Plants in India.Note India has a long history of an indigenous nuclear power program with nuclear power capacity of around 4.5 GW.Despite facing low utilization in recent times due to inadequate supply of uranium fuel,the nuclear energy industry has continued to grow.India is the only country spending large amounts in Thorium Fuel R&D as the country has huge deposits of the element.

List of Nuclear Power Plants in India

India currently has 4560 MW of Nuclear Plant Capacity distributed across 6 places located mostly in southern and western parts of the country.Tarapur is India’s oldest facility and has 1200 MW capacity.Kota in Rajastan has India’s second largest nuclear power capacity at 1080 MW.

New Nuclear Plants Under Construction

India has another 3.7 GW of Nuclear Power Capacity under construction which should come online in the next 5 years.

New Sites for Nuclear Power Plants

1) Haripur,West Bengal

2) Saurashtra,Gujarat

3) Pati Sonapur,Orissa

4) Jaitapur,Maharashtra

5) Kudankulam,Tamil Nadu

6) Kumaharia,Haryana

7) Pulivendula,Andhra Pradesh

India’s Nuclear Power Target

The plans are to increase nuclear energy’s share in the overall energy basket from the current 4 per cent of total domestic energy production to 9 per cent within the next 25 years.India envisages a capacity of 60,000 mega watt (Mw) by 2032 against current capacity of 4.7 GW.NPCIL is the fully owned government owner and operator of Nuclear Power Plants in India.The company will procure nuclear power equipment from nuclear energy providers like Areva,Rosatom,Toshiba and GE who will also be responsible for supplying the uranium fuel for the lifetime of the nuclear reactors.4-5 sites are being developed simultaneously in the next few years where 8-10 reactors will be deployed.Private Sector companies in India like L&T are eyeing opportunities to supply capital goods for the Nuclear Sector.NTPC has also done a JV with NPCIL to start a Nuclear Power Plant in India.

Nuclear Energy Links

1. Why has Nuclear Energy hit a Wall in the Developed World
2. India’s decision to increase Nuclear Civil Liability Three Fold to $330 million does not mitigate Moral Hazard
3. India’s Nuclear Energy Industry faces Numerous External and Internal Hurdles
4. Nuclear Energy in India faces external obstacles from old adversaries China and Pakistan
5. Nuclear Energy Investing -Toshiba plans Major Investment to catch upto Areva even as Indian,Chinese markets see setbacks
6. Nuclear Energy Market – Hitachi-GE failing to keep up with Market Leaders Areva and Toshiba
7. Democratization of Nuclear Energy – Miniature Nuclear Plants much closer to reality