Hyderabad: Capping 13 years of negotiations, India and the European Union sealed a civil nuclear cooperation. India and China are the only two countries who are trying to increase their nuclear generation capabilities, at a time when other countries have either stopped or are reducing their share of nuclear energy.
India nuclear power sector
India has a total of 22 commercial nuclear power plants with an installed capacity of 6780 MW. These power plants are run by Nuclear power corporation of India. India plans to build an additional 12 Nuclear power reactors totalling 9000 megawatts (MW). Nine reactors are under construction totalling 6,700 MW. The Centre has also given a green signal to build nuclear capabilities totalling 25,248 MW in five locations.
India's nuclear power generation target
MoS Jitendra Singh told the Parliament earlier in February that existing nuclear power capacity of 6,780 MW is proposed to be increased to 22,480 MW by 2031 on completion of projects.
India's civil nuclear agreements with other countries
Till 209, India has signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with the US, France, Russia, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan South Korea and the Czech Republic.
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Challenges in realising Indian Nuclear Energy ambitions
1. Delay in completion of nuclear power projects
- India has a history of delaying the completion of nuclear power projects. The initial reactors at the Kudankulam power project in Tamil Nadu took more than 30 years to begin generating power.
2. Status of some other Nuclear power plants
- The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, proposed in Maharashtra’s Konkan region, with a proposed generating capacity of 9,900 MW was supposed to begin construction in 2010, but it is yet to begin.
- Reactors at Kakrapar and Rajasthan are also behind schedule.
- Units III and IV at Kudankulam have only recently begun construction.
3. According to CAG Reports
- The nuclear projects in India cost more than their initial estimates and even then performed poorly.
- The estimated cost of units I and II of Kudankulam project were Rs 13,171 Crore, which later rose to 22,462 Crore in 2014.
- Other reasons for delays are - delay in supply of equipment, changes in design, and erection delays.
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Mass movements against Nuclear power plants
Tamil Nadu: Mass movements were held against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project and at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu. In Kudankulam, 8,952 people were charged with sedition and 11,000 people were charged with waging war against the state. Four people lost their life in agitations.
Maharashtra: Two people lost their lives while protesting against the proposed Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Maharashtra.
Andhra Pradesh: People have also opposed the proposed plant in Kovada, Andhra Pradesh, where a 6,600 MW nuclear power station is to be built.
Madhya Pradesh: In Chutka, Madhya Pradesh, locals are protesting against a 1,400 MW project.
Gujarat: In Mithi Virdi, Gujarat, a proposed 6,000 MW project has been shifted due to opposition by farmers.
Karnataka: There have also been protests against the construction of additional units at the Kaiga Generating Station (KGS) in Karnataka.
West Bengal: The West Bengal government has also refused to allow a nuclear plant to be built in Haripur.
