New Delhi: The government has accorded its in-principle approval for setting up the largest nuclear power generating site at Jaitapur in Maharashtra with a total capacity of 9,900 MW, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. In a written response to a question raised in the Upper House of Parliament, Dr Singh said, "The Government has accorded 'In-Principle' approval of the site at Jaitapur in Maharashtra for setting up six nuclear power reactors of 1,650 MW each in technical cooperation with France which would make it the largest nuclear power generating site with a total capacity of 9,900 MW."
Dr Singh said that the project is proposed to be setup at Jaitapur site in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. He said that presently techno-commercial discussions are in progress to arrive at the project proposal with M/s EDF, France.
In a separate written reply to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha on nuclear power capacity, Dr Singh said that the present installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 6,780 MW and the share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country was about 3.1 percent in the year 2020-21.
The minister said that nuclear power is clean and environment-friendly, and has a huge potential to ensure the country's long-term energy security on a sustainable basis. The nuclear power plants have so far generated about 755 Billion Units (BU) of electricity, saving about 650 Million Tons of CO2 emission.
Dr Singh said that India's net zero targets are expected to be met through a combination of various clean energy sources, including nuclear power. In this context, the present nuclear power capacity of 6,780 MW is planned to be increased to 22,480 MW by 2031 on progressive completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction. More nuclear power reactors are planned for the future, the minister told the House.
The Government has taken several measures to enhance the generation from nuclear power plants in the country. It has accorded administrative approval for 10 indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to be set up in fleet mode with provision of equity support. Financial sanction for these projects has also been approved.
The Centre has also amended the Atomic Energy Act to enable joint ventures of public sector companies to set up nuclear power projects, said the minister.
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