NEW DELHI, July 25 : Close on the heels of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement in her Budget speech about the plan to develop “Small Modular Reactors” (SMRs) with a gross allocation of Rs 36,159.93 crore for 2024-25 for the projects under the Department of Atomic Energy, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space and MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh today updated the Rajya Sabha about the progress in the initiative to develop “Small Modular Reactors”.
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In reply to a question, the Minister informed the House that the Department of Atomic Energy is taking note of the developments and recent trends worldwide in the field of small modular reactors. While the different technologies and designs of small modular reactors, as published by different countries and foreign-based vendors, are being studied for gathering technical details, no proposal to collaborate with foreign vendors/ countries is under consideration at present. At present, no private player has shown interest in producing small modular reactors. However, a few private players have shown interest to deploy small reactors in their captive site.
Pertinent to mention that SMRs are said to be game changers in the times to come, as these are defined as small nuclear reactors with a maximum output of 300 Megawatt electric (MWe) and can produce 7.2 million kWh per day. By comparison, large-size nuclear power plants have an output of over 1,000 MWe and can produce 24 million kWh per day.
In reply to another related question, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that Government of India and Government of Russian Federation have expressed interest to expand the cooperation in the field of the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes including cooperation in the field of Small Modular Reactor.
Dr Jitendra Singh further informed that The present installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 8180 MW, comprising of 24 nuclear power reactors. There are nine (09) reactors with a total capacity of 7300 MW [including Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidhyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)] under construction and twelve (12) reactors with a capacity of 8000 MW [including 2 X 500 MW twin unit of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR) 1 & 2 by BHAVINI] are under pre-project activities.
The installed nuclear power capacity in 2013-14 has increased from 4780 MW to 8180 MW at present. The annual electricity generation from nuclear power plants has increased from 34228 Million units in 2013-14 to 47971 Million Units in 2023-24, stated the Minister in his reply.
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