Chennai:
Department of Atomic Energy is planning to triple its nuclear power
production capacity by 2022 by adding several 700 MW pressurized heavy
water reactors, according to R Chidambaram, principal scientific
advisor to the Government of India.
The present capacity is 5780 MW and department of atomic energy’s aim
is to reach 63,000 MW by 2032 through a mix of indigenous PWHRs and
fast breeder reactors and light water reactors based on foreign
technical cooperation, Chidambaram said.
Interestingly, the India’s three stage nuclear programme is based on
closed nuclear fuel cycle and thorium utilization as it has the
largest thorium deposits. “Fast reactors and related fuel cycles will
be important for the long term sustainability of nuclear power,
Chidambaram said.
Talking about Fukushima Daiichi nuclear tragedy, Chidambaram said that
it did not have much impact on the nuclear industry. “Currently, 73
new reactors are under construction,” he said.
Interestingly, as per the World Nuclear Report, China is building 28
new reactors followed by Russia, which is constructing nine reactors,
and India (seven reactors). Pakistan is developing two reactors.
He said that India has taken up design of an indigenous 900 MW
pressurized water reactor whose construction is expected to be started
within five years.
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