The Government has announced an ambitious Nuclear Energy mission for Viksit Bharat  with a target of reaching a nuclear power capacity of 100 GW by 2047 to contribute  significantly in achieving the target of Net Zero by 2070. Its main features are to augment  power production from nuclear energy with least carbon emission and to cater the base load  requirement which is currently supported by fossil fuel base power plants. Nuclear energy  mission envisages deployment of large as well as small nuclear power plants in green fields,  in brown fields, as captive plants and for off-grid applications in remote locations. This  initiative aims for an active partnership with the private sector, R&D of Small Modular  Reactors (SMRs) and enabling measures for new advanced technologies.

Three types of SMR are being designed and developed indigenously by BARC for  demonstration. These reactors are:

• 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor.
• 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor
• 5 MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor for hydrogen production by coupling  with a suitable thermochemical process for hydrogen production.

In-principle approval has been obtained for construction of these demonstration reactors.  These demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt  of administrative sanction of projects. Lead units of BSMR & SMR are planned to be  installed at DAE sites in collaboration with NPCIL.

These plants are designed & developed considering deployment as captive power plant, for  repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based plants and for hydrogen production to support the transport sector with the prime objective of decarbonization by increasing the penetration of  nuclear energy in the industrial & transport sector.

Presently, the installed nuclear power capacity in the country comprises 24 reactors with  a total capacity of 8780 MW, excluding RAPS-1 (100 MW) which is under long term shut  down. 

 KAPS-3 & 4 (2x700 MW) and RAPP-7 (700 MW) are in commercial operation. 

Presently, 18 reactors with a total capacity of 13600 MW (including 500 MW PFBR, being  implemented by BHAVINI) are at various stages of implementation. On their progressive  completion, the installed nuclear power capacity will reach 22380 MW from 8780 MW at  present. The target of 100 GW is planned to be achieved by deploying reactors based on  existing and new advanced technologies under development. 

The department has established 4,33,800t in-situ U3O8 resource in 47 uranium deposits located  in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh,  Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. In recent years, the Department has established 26,437t in-situ U-oxide resource in Jaduguda North - Baglasai Mechua deposit, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand; which is the north-western continuity  of Jaduguda uranium deposit.

Highest priority is accorded to safety in all aspects of nuclear power viz. siting, design,  construction, commissioning and operation. Nuclear power plants are designed based on  the paramount safety principles of defense in depth, Redundancy, Diversity and Fail-safe  design features; thus, ensuring multiple barriers between the source of radioactivity and the  environment. The operations are performed through well laid out procedures by highly  qualified, trained and licensed personnel. There is a robust and independent regulatory  mechanism in place and safety of nuclear power plants is continuously monitored and  reviewed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2153076)