Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh convening a high-level meeting to review the 100 days Action Plan of the Department of Atomic Energy in New Delhi today.
New Delhi: India’s nuclear power generation capacity is to increase by around 70 per cent in the next 5 years, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said while convening a high-level meeting to review the 100-day Action Plan of the Department of Atomic Energy here today.
This is the first atomic energy-related meeting convened by Dr Singh who is the Minister of State for the Department of Atomic Energy.
Highlighting India’s progress in nuclear energy and renewable energy in the energy landscape, he said, “Installed capacity of 7.48 GWe will become 13.08 GWe by 2029, which is over 70 per cent increase with the addition of 7 new reactors”. He also took stock of the already operational projects and gave directions for upcoming plans.
The Minister also emphasized Indigenous development of technology on a priority basis for promoting energy security. He highlighted that this government has allowed joint ventures with public sector units, increasing budget through collaboration, use of next-generation technologies, and increasing cooperation. Speaking on the ease of doing research and scaling up activities he said, “We are giving single-point approval to promote ease of science and promote ease of living for citizens by application of nuclear technology”.
Dr Singh informed that the department was suitably designing the 220MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) to use a Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) for captive nuclear power generation. He also informed that the Department of Atomic Energy was also working on the 220 MW Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) to use light water-based reactors by replacing Calandria by pressure vessel.
He further disclosed that BHAVINI, a public sector undertaking was in progress to complete the initial fuel loading of the prototype fast breeder reactor and its first approach to criticality was expected in the coming months. This is the first fast breeder reactor to produce more fuel than it consumes.
The minister emphasized that along with energy security, health and food security, Radiopharmaceuticals & nuclear medicine, agriculture, and food preservation should also be focused. Adding further he said that development in radiation technology will lead to economic and societal benefits for common citizens and promote ease of living and research in basic, applied and translational sciences using subatomic particles.
Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy along with senior officials of the department were present for the review meeting.
– global bihari bureau
