New Delhi: The installed nuclear power capacity of India has recorded an increase of 40% in the last seven years, the Government informed Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Replying to questions on whether the country's nuclear energy production has become stagnant in the last seven years, the Minister of State (MoS), Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Jitendra Singh said that it has increased from 4780 MW to 6780 MW during the time.
"In the last seven years, the installed nuclear power capacity grew from 4780 MW to 6780 MW, an increase of over 40%," he stated in a written reply.
He further stated that India is pursuing an indigenous three-stage nuclear power programme to ensure long term energy security in a sustainable manner.
"In addition, Light Water Reactors based on foreign cooperation are also being set up as additionalities. A large expansion programme of nuclear power is being undertaken to provide the country clean electricity," the MoS added.
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Singh in another written reply stated that the current annual production of uranium in the country is not adequate to meet the annual fuel requirement of all the operational uranium-based nuclear power plants.
"However, we are continuously exploring the possibility of alternate fuel based on thorium in this regard for which we have enough reserves. Further, Department is importing uranium from different countries like Canada, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia also," he added.
