Already, Both the sites are home to nuclear power plants, with the one at Rawatbhata generating 740 MW of electricity and the other one at Kakrapar generating 440 MW.
“Similarly, in principle approval has been accorded for sites at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu and Jaitapur in Maharashtra for setting up light water reactors through imports,” Chavan said.
Currently, a nuclear power plant with four reactors of 1,000 MW each is being constructed at Kudankulam.
“More nuclear power plants at additional sites are also planned. However, details are not yet finalized,” Chavan said.
Out of 4,120 MW of the nation’s installed nuclear power capacity, 320 MW is based on light water reactors and the balance 3,800 MW is based on heavy water reactors.
Chavan said that by 2011, the installed capacity will reach 7,280 MW by completion of projects which are under construction. Chavan also said: “More reactors, both of indigenous designs and based on international co-operation are planned to increase the nuclear power capacity.”
“The tariffs of nuclear power are competitive with that of coal fired thermal power stations at locations away from coal mines. In addition nuclear power is clean and environment friendly, as it has no greenhouse gas emissions,” Chavan added.
