Nuclear power generation capacity to increase by 70 percent in next 5 years: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said in a high level meeting to review the 100-day action plan of the Department of Atomic Energy “India’s nuclear power generation capacity will increase by about 70 percent in the next five years.”

This is the first nuclear energy related meeting held by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge), Minister of State for Earth Sciences (Independent Charge), Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh after he re-assumed charge as Minister in Modi Government 3.0.

Highlighting India’s progress in nuclear power and renewable energy in the energy scenario, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “The installed capacity of 7.48 GW will increase to 13.08 GW by 2029, an increase of more than 70% with the addition of 7 new reactors. He also took stock of the projects already underway and gave directions for upcoming plans.

Dr Jitendra Singh directed the Department to have integrated collaboration to harness the full potential by capacity building and sharing knowledge, resources and expertise. The Minister emphasized on indigenous development of technology. “Promoting indigenous technology development and energy security should be our priority,” he said. He recalled that this Government has allowed joint ventures with public sector units by increasing budgets, using next generation technologies and increasing collaboration through collaboration. Speaking on ease of doing research and enhancing activities, he said that we are giving single point approval to promote easy science and ease of living of citizens by application of nuclear technology. Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the Department is designing a 220 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) to use Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) in captive nuclear power generation. He also informed that DAE is also working on Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) 220 MW to use light water-based reactors by replacing calandria with pressure vessels.

According to Dr Jitendra Singh, the work of completing initial fuel loading of the prototype fast breeder reactor of BHAVINI, a public sector undertaking, is in progress and is expected to move towards first criticality in the coming months. This is the first fast breeder reactor that produces more fuel than it consumes.

The Minister emphasized that along with energy security, health and food security, attention should also be given to radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear medicine, agriculture and food preservation. He further said that development of radiation technology will provide economic and social benefits to the common people and help in making life easier and will promote research in basic, applied and translational sciences using sub-atomic particles.