Indian government approves 10 new nuclear reactors

• 7 years ago (2017-05-18)
• David Flin

Asia 892 Nuclear 659

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The Union cabinet of the Indian Government has taken the decision to approve construction of ten units of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR). Union Minister for Power and Coal Piyush Goyal confirmed in a media briefing after the Cabinet meeting that the approval was for 10 indigenously built PHWRs of 700 MW each.

Goyal said the decision will result in significant augmentation of the country’s nuclear power generation capacity. He said India’s installed nuclear power capacity is 6780 MW from 22 operational plants, and another 6700 MW is expected to be generated by 2022 through projects currently under construction.

Goyal said: “In a first of its kind project for India’s nuclear power sector, the 10 new units will be a fully domestic initiative.” He said the project will help transform the Indian nuclear industry by linking the goal of a strong nuclear power sector with the country’s indigenous industrial capacities in high-end technologies. “With manufacturing orders to domestic industry, it will be a major step towards strengthening India’s credentials as a major nuclear manufacturing powerhouse,” Goyal said. “It supports India’s commitment to sustainable development, energy self-sufficiency, and bolsters global efforts to combat climate change.”