Govt Clears Proposal to Build 10 New Atomic Reactors

Once completed, the nuclear energy project is expected to help generate more than 33,400 jobs.

Image for representative purpose. (Photo: iStock)

In a fresh impetus to India’s nuclear energy production, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared a proposal to indigenously build 10 atomic reactors. This is the largest ever approval granted for such facilities in one go.

The Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) will have a bandwidth of 700 mega watts each, and will be developed by the Department of Atomic Energy.

A total of 7000 MW capacity will be added. It will help produce clean energy

Piyush Goyal, Union Power Minister

India currently has a nuclear power capacity of 6780 MW from 22 operational plants. Another 6700 MW of nuclear power is expected to be added by 2021-22 when under-construction projects go onstream in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

The newly-sanctioned 10 reactors will be built at Mahi Banswara (Rajasthan), Chutka (Madhya Pradesh), Kaiga (Karnataka), and Gorakhpur (Haryana).

As the government marks three years of its nation and people-centric governance in a first of its kind project for India’s nuclear power sector, the 10 new units will come up in fleet mode as a fully homegrown initiative. It would be one of the flagship Make in India projects in this sector

Government statement

With likely manufacturing orders of close to Rs 70,000 crore to domestic companies, the project is expected to help generate more than 33,400 jobs in direct and indirect employment.

"The Cabinet's decision reflects the government's commitment to prioritise the use of clean power in India's energy mix, as part of low-carbon growth strategy and to ensure long-term base load requirement for the nation's industrialisation,” the statement further said.

It also supports India’s commitment to sustainable development, energy self-sufficiency, and bolsters global efforts to combat climate change.

Government statement