Nuclear Power Corporation Chief S. K.
Jain unveiled the country’s nuclear
vision and plans while inaugurating an
indigenously manufactured nuclear
fuelling machine head, a critical part
of its nuclear program. Until
recently, India would need to import
such equipment but two years ago, the
country adopted a policy to indigenize
most components required to ensure
continued viability of the nuclear
program. This component will be
installed at the
Rajasthan Power Plant.
Because of continued sanctions, India
currently produces only 3316 megawatts
(MW) of nuclear power and plans to
increase this production to 7000 mw by
2008 and 12,000 by 2012. By 2025,
India will have 62 reactors that will
power most of India. Currently, only
3% of India’s power requirements come
from Nuclear energy and will go to 5%
when Tarapur becomes operational by
June this year and become 20% by 2030.
The Planning Commission has already
chalked a 30 year program where
30000-40000 mw of will be generated
based on cooperation with countries
like France, Russia, and the US.
Jain also said that the world’s first
Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at
Kalpakkam will be operation by 2008 to
generate 500MW using Plutonium which
is a waste by-product of uranium.
India is the only country that is
pursuing this technology and if
successful, it will pursue many other
ones. Moreover, India will be in a
position then to sell such reactors to
other nations and become a net fuel
exporter.
