India’s nuclear power generation capacity is poised to cross 13 GWe by 2029, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Atomic Energy.
Dr. Singh said that at a recent high-level meeting to review the 100-days Action Plan of the Department of Atomic Energy on June 25, 2024.
The minister said that by 2029, India’s installed nuclear power generation capacity will increase from the present 7.48 GWe to 13.08 GWe with the commissioning of seven new reactors.
During the meeting, he also took stock of the already operational projects and gave directions for upcoming plans, a government release said.
Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that the department is suitably designing the 220-MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) to use a Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) for captive nuclear power generation. He also informed that DAE is also working on a 220-MW Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) that will use light water-based reactors by replacing Calandria by pressure vessel. [Calandria is a low-pressure vessel containing heavy water and which houses the reactor core.]
According to Dr, Jitendra Singh, BHAVINI, a public sector undertaking is in progress to complete initial fuel loading of Prototype Fast Breeder reactor and its first approach to criticality is expected in the coming months. This is the first fast-breeder reactor to produce more fuel than it consumes, the release noted.
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Featured photograph (extreme left) shows Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Department of Atomic Energy, addressing a high-level meeting on June 25, 2024. Dr. Singh also holds the portfolios of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
