india-to-add-7-new-nuclear-reactors-in-5-years

Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the installation of seven new nuclear reactors, which is expected to increase the country's nuclear power generation capacity by approximately 70% over the next five years.

The announcement came during a meeting to review the Department of Atomic Energy's 100-day action plan.

India, which currently operates 24 nuclear reactors, will see its nuclear power generation capacity rise to 13.08 GW with the addition of these new units.

The meeting was attended by key figures, including Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, along with other senior officials.

Singh emphasized the need for the Department of Atomic Energy to enhance integration and collaboration to fully harness its potential. This includes capacity building, knowledge sharing, and leveraging resources and expertise. He highlighted the importance of developing indigenous technology to ensure energy security.

“Indigenous technology development and promoting energy security should be our priority,” Singh stated.

He noted that the government has permitted joint ventures with public sector units and has increased the budget to support collaboration, the use of next-generation technologies, and enhanced cooperation.

The minister discussed several ongoing and upcoming projects. The department is currently developing a 220 MW pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) using the Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) for captive nuclear power generation.

Additionally, efforts are underway on the 220 MW Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), which aims to replace the Calandria with a pressure vessel using light water-based reactors.

Singh also highlighted the progress of BHAVINI, a public sector undertaking, which is nearing the completion of initial fuel loading for the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor.

This reactor is expected to reach its first approach to criticality in the coming months and will be the first fast breeder reactor to produce more fuel than it consumes.