India to Add 1500 MW of Nuclear Power in 2009

December 4, 2008

New Delhi - Asia Pulse Data Source

India is expected to add another 1,500 MW of nuclear power to the
national grid in 2009, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil
Kakodkar said here today.

"Two-three nuclear power units will be connected to the
national grid next year which would add about 1,500 MW power," he told reporters
on the sidelines of India Power Forum here.

Currently, the country has capacity to generate 4,120 MW of
nuclear power but due to shortage of nuclear fuel most of the units are
running a little over half their capacity.

Kakodkar said the situation will improve with India entering into
civil nuclear cooperation agreements with several countries
including the US, France and Russia.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), which
has the mandate to run atomic power plants in the country, is also exploring
joint ventures with domestic industries to set up nuclear plants.

He said the country aims to generate 20,000 MW of nuclear power
by 2020, of which half of it would come from indigenously developed
Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR).

"We aim to produce 10,000 MW through PHWRs, about 5,000 MW through
imported reactors and about 2,500 MW through Fast Breeder Reactors,"
Kakodkar said.

On expansion of the nuclear industry in the country, Power Secretary
Anil Razdan said state-run companies like the National Thermal Power
Corporation can enter into a joint venture with NPCIL to set up one
or two nuclear power plants to gain experience in the sector before making an
independent foray.