Security
India: 21 nuclear power projects planned
New Delhi, 14 Oct. (AKI/Asian Age) - India is kickstarting its nuclear facilities by setting up 21 nuclear power projects based on three different technologies.
These include the setting up of six French reactors of 1,600 MW, four Russian reactors of 1,000 MW and four American reactors of 1,500 MW within the next five years.
Senior sources in the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) point out that each of these reactors is likely to cost a minimum of 2 billion dollars and will collectively produce 30,000 MW of nuclear energy.
While the French nuclear company Areva is setting up the French reactors, the Russian public sector unit Rosatom and the US’ General Electric and Westinghouse are likely to be shortlisted for setting up reactors.
Already, Rosatom has set up four nuclear reactors in Koodankulam which are expected to be operational in early 2009.
NPCIL sources claim the power generated from the Koodankulam plants will be available at Rs 2.50 per unit. But nuclear physicist Raja Raman expects the production cost of power being generated from nuclear plants to average around Rs 4 per unit though the cost to the consumer will be much higher.
"The NPCIL has to keep its price competitive. Coal-based power is available at Rs 2.50 per unit. Nuclear power will also have to compete against wind and solar energy. Nuclear fuel cannot be sold at a rate higher than other energy sources available in India," said Raman.
"The cost of dismantlement and spent fuel costs will have to be included in this price," Raman added.
NPCIL is planning to set up 10 light water reactors (LWRs) which are cheaper than the existing pressurised heavy water reactors.
NPCIL scientists point out it is cheaper to transfer technology and set up the plants in India, for which land will have to be acquired.
A nuclear project includes generating equipment, a water system, civil works and the entire electrical distribution system. NPCIL sources are confident that 30 percent of inputs for each of these projects can be sourced from within India.
Apart from the 10 LWRs envisaged under the Indo-US nuclear cooperation deal, NPCL is also planning to set up eight reactors of 700 MW, three fast breeder reactors and one advanced heavy water reactor of 300 MW.
The LWRs will be fired by imported uranium. The first two will come up in 2014-15.
Fast-growing India faces a critical shortage of energy to fuel its booming economy. It last Friday signed a nuclear cooperation deal with the US that allows American businesses to sell nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to India.
The deal reverses a three-decade ban on atomic trade with the nuclear-armed Asian power.
Last month, India and France signed a landmark nuclear cooperation accord in Paris, paving the way for the sale of French nuclear reactors to New Delhi and a new era in bilateral ties.
Like the US deal, it covers the supply of reactors and atomic fuel and is being seen as a key step in India's bid to secure its position as a nuclear power.
These include the setting up of six French reactors of 1,600 MW, four Russian reactors of 1,000 MW and four American reactors of 1,500 MW within the next five years.
Senior sources in the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) point out that each of these reactors is likely to cost a minimum of 2 billion dollars and will collectively produce 30,000 MW of nuclear energy.
While the French nuclear company Areva is setting up the French reactors, the Russian public sector unit Rosatom and the US’ General Electric and Westinghouse are likely to be shortlisted for setting up reactors.
Already, Rosatom has set up four nuclear reactors in Koodankulam which are expected to be operational in early 2009.
NPCIL sources claim the power generated from the Koodankulam plants will be available at Rs 2.50 per unit. But nuclear physicist Raja Raman expects the production cost of power being generated from nuclear plants to average around Rs 4 per unit though the cost to the consumer will be much higher.
"The NPCIL has to keep its price competitive. Coal-based power is available at Rs 2.50 per unit. Nuclear power will also have to compete against wind and solar energy. Nuclear fuel cannot be sold at a rate higher than other energy sources available in India," said Raman.
"The cost of dismantlement and spent fuel costs will have to be included in this price," Raman added.
NPCIL is planning to set up 10 light water reactors (LWRs) which are cheaper than the existing pressurised heavy water reactors.
NPCIL scientists point out it is cheaper to transfer technology and set up the plants in India, for which land will have to be acquired.
A nuclear project includes generating equipment, a water system, civil works and the entire electrical distribution system. NPCIL sources are confident that 30 percent of inputs for each of these projects can be sourced from within India.
Apart from the 10 LWRs envisaged under the Indo-US nuclear cooperation deal, NPCL is also planning to set up eight reactors of 700 MW, three fast breeder reactors and one advanced heavy water reactor of 300 MW.
The LWRs will be fired by imported uranium. The first two will come up in 2014-15.
Fast-growing India faces a critical shortage of energy to fuel its booming economy. It last Friday signed a nuclear cooperation deal with the US that allows American businesses to sell nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to India.
The deal reverses a three-decade ban on atomic trade with the nuclear-armed Asian power.
Last month, India and France signed a landmark nuclear cooperation accord in Paris, paving the way for the sale of French nuclear reactors to New Delhi and a new era in bilateral ties.
Like the US deal, it covers the supply of reactors and atomic fuel and is being seen as a key step in India's bid to secure its position as a nuclear power.
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