DEPARTMENT
OF ATOMIC ENERGY
NOTE FOR
SUPLLEMENTARIES
INDEX
|
Sr. No. |
Particulars |
Page No. |
|
1. |
Bio-data of Shri P. Rajeeve |
1 |
|
2. |
Part I – Executive Summary |
2-3 |
|
3. |
Part-II
Anticipated Questions and Answers |
4-8 |
|
4. |
Part-III Detailed Note for Supplementaries |
9-14 |
|
5. |
Question asked by Shri
P. Rajeeve |
15 |
|
6. |
Similar questions asked by other members in
previous sessions with answers (Lok Sabha) |
16 |
|
7. |
Similar questions asked by other members in
previous sessions with answers (Rajya Sabha) |
17-18 |
GOVERNMENT OF
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.216 FOR ANSWER ON 03.12.2009 BY SHRI P. RAJEEVE REGARDING NUCLEAR REACTORS
FROM
PART – I
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Thrust of the question
The
thrust of the question is to ascertain the plans to set up nuclear power
reactors based on co-operation with
International Cooperation Initiatives
The Government had taken series of
initiatives to access co-operation in nuclear power and resulting out of these
efforts, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) {a group of 46 nuclear supplier
countries that decides the Guidelines for nuclear exports} have agreed for
international commerce in nuclear power in
In this connection, the civil nuclear co-operation agreement with USA, France and Russia are significant in terms of setting up of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) based on foreign co-operation.
Setting up large Capacity LWRs
With a view to add significant
capacity in the near term, it is proposed to set up six to eight reactors each
in co-operation with
Import of reactors
Setting up of these reactors involves substantial indigenous effort. While civil construction activities at site are to be carried out indigenously, components / equipment would be sourced from foreign countries and from within the country. The erection and commissioning activities are also required to be done indigenously. Thus setting up of nuclear power reactors based on foreign co-operation has import and indigenous components. The indigenous content is also planned to be increased progressively.
Implementation Strategy
The current planning is to start work on twin unit basis at each of these sites approved ‘In-principle’. The work on next set of reactors will be taken up as the progress of first set tapers off.
Present Status
While
preliminary discussions at company level have been held with M/s. GE Hitachi
Nuclear Energy (GEH) and M/s. Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) of
Further discussions are planned to cover a range of technical and regulatory aspects followed by commercial aspects. The endeavour will be to work out an execution model which will result in viable tariff of electricity from these plants.
In addition GEH & WEC are also having discussions with Indian industries for development of component suppliers in the country. This would help enhanced indigenization and is also expected to reduce the capital cost of these LWRs.
********
PART – II
ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS
Why are nuclear power reactors based on imports/ foreign
cooperation needed?
Large capacity nuclear power
reactors based on foreign cooperation are being introduced as an additionality to the indigenous
three-stage programme to achieve rapid augmentation in nuclear capacity. The sequential execution of the three-stage
programme, in view of the fuel cycle linkages, needs time to exploit its full
potential. In the intervening period, the access to international cooperation
and introduction of imported reactors would enable increasing the nuclear power
capacity at a fast pace to meet the growing electricity demand.
Which reactors are planned to be set up and
what would be their capacities ?
Large capacity Light Water Reactors
(LWRs), each of 1000 MW and above, of ‘Generation III+’ technologies with state
of the art safety features are planned to be set up. In the first
instance, VVERs of 1000/1250 MW from Atomstroyexport (ASE), Russian Federation, EPRs of 1650 MW from AREVA, France, ABWRs of 1350 MW
from GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), USA and AP 1000 of 1100 MW capacity. from Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC),
A total of about 40,000 MW capacity LWRs are planned.
Are
The
Does
Two VVERs of 1000 MW each are being set up at Kudankulam in Taminadu in technical cooperation with
What will be the source of fuel for the
reactors based on international cooperation and how will life time fuel supply
be assured?
The nuclear reactors
based on international cooperation will be Light Water Reactors (LWRs), fuelled
by low enriched uranium (4-5%). Necessary guarantees for lifetime fuel supplies
will be incorporated in the commercial agreements/contracts. The annual
requirement of low enriched enriched uranium fuel
will be about 35 tons per 1000 MW capacity.
What are the proposed locations in
the country for setting up of nuclear power plants based on international cooperation?
The Government has accorded ‘in
principle’ approval for setting up additional units at Kudankulam, Tamilnadu and a new sites at Jaitapur,
Maharashtra, Haripur, West Bengal, Mithi Virdi, Gujarat and Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh for setting up LWRs based on
international cooperation. The sites at Mithi Virdi & Kovvada sites are
earmarked for setting up reactors based on US technologies.
How are the LWR projects proposed to be funded?
The LWR projects are proposed to be funded by a mix of debt & equity,
at a ratio of about 70:30. The equity
requirements of these projects are proposed to be met from the reserves and
surpluses of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, while the debt is
proposed to be sourced from external credit, external borrowings from various
multilateral lending agencies and market borrowings. If needed, NPCIL will
explore other options of raising equity.
Are there any proposals to permit private/ foreign
participation in nuclear power sector?
Currently, Nuclear Power
Stations can be set up only by Government or a Government company in accordance
with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act. NPCIL & BHAVINI are the two
Government companies authorised to set up nuclear power stations. The private
sector participation is possible through a Joint Venture, in which NPCIL is a
majority partner. In addition, private sector has major participation in supply
of equipment & services.
Involvement of private sector
in setting up nuclear power plants would need an amendment of the Atomic Energy
Act. All aspects of setting up such
projects will be comprehensively considered by the Government before according
them approval.
What is the status of the XI Plan targets?
The XI Plan
envisaged a capacity addition of 3160 MW by progressive completion of projects
under construction. RAPP-5 (220 MW) achieved first criticality on November 24,
2009 and is expected to start commercial operation soon. Work on RAPP 6 (220
MW) and Kaiga-4 (220 MW) has been completed and the units are ready for fuel
loading. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP)-1&2 (2 x 1000 MW) and 500
MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) are in advanced stage of
construction. These projects are
expected to be completed progressively in the XI plan.
The generation during the current five-year plan, upto
October 2009 has been 42550 Million Units (MUs). The
generation target for XI plan at 163395 MUs was revised to 124608 MUs in
MTA.
The outlay for
the DAE Power Sector in XI Plan
was Rs 25981 crore. The anticipated expenditure in
the first three years 2007-10 is Rs. 10022 crore. The
XI Plan outlay has been revised to Rs. 23110 crore at
MTA based on the progress so far and the possible expenditure in the remaining
period of the plan.
How is safety ensured in setting up and
operating nuclear power plants?
Utmost attention is given to nuclear
safety in Indian nuclear power plants. Principle of “SAFETY FIRST- PRODUCTION LATER” is adopted in all
activities. The overriding importance to safety encompasses the entire gamut of
activities associated with nuclear power plants (NPPs),
that is, siting, design, construction, commissioning,
and operation. In all these activities, a major effort is devoted to ensuring
safety of operating personnel, public as well as the environment.
A systematic approach using
well-defined principles is followed in the design of the nuclear power plants
to provide the required safety features adopting principles of defence-in-depth, diversity and redundancy. Nuclear Power
Plants are constructed in accordance with the design intent, and with required
quality of workmanship to very strict quality standards. The manufacture of
components and equipment as well as the erection, testing and commissioning
activities are performed under stringent Quality Assurance Programmes. The
operations are performed using well laid out procedures by thoroughly well
qualified and trained staff. The operators are trained using simulators and
periodically re-trained for sharpening their reflexes and skills.
The specific safety features of the
Indian Nuclear Power Reactors are:
a) In
design of nuclear power plants, safety principles of redundancy, diversity and
fail-safe design features are followed. Physical separation between redundant
safety systems and diversity of equipment of critical safety systems ensure
that common mode failures due to fire etc. do not occur.
b) The
defence-in-depth approach in design ensures that
there are multiple barriers (fuel matrix, fuel clad, primary pressure pipe,
primary containment and secondary containment) to be crossed before
radioactivity can escape to environment.
c) There
is a multi-tier system of review by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
during all the stages.
d) For
nuclear power plant operation, operating personnel for specific positions are
licensed by AERB and then only allowed to perform the task.
e) An
exclusion zone of 1.6 km radius around the reactors is established where the
land is acquired and fenced. No resident
public habitation is permitted. In addition a sterilised
zone of 5 km. radius surrounds the plant where only normal growth of existing
population is allowed.
f) Emergency
preparedness, as a matter of abundant caution, is ensured by well laid down
plans and procedures and regular rehearsals by the plant and state authorities.
How is the environment around the nuclear
power plant monitored to ensure that radioactivity is within permissible
limits?
Each atomic power plant has an
Environmental Survey Laboratory (ESL) which is independent of the atomic power
plant/ Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) management and
reports directly to Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
(BARC). These Laboratories are set up before pant construction so as to
generate base line data. ESLs undertake continuous
surveillance of the environment by analysing the
environmental matrices like air, water and foodstuff like cereals, milk,
vegetables, fish etc, for their radioactivity contents. The radiation dose to
the members of the public is computed from these measurements and is found to
be only a fraction of the permissible dose limits prescribed by Atomic Energy
Regulatory Board (AERB).
Epidemiological surveys have been
conducted at all operating nuclear power plants by Tata
Memorial Centre with active participation of local medical colleges. These surveys have concluded that there is no
radiation induced effect on the health of people around the plant due to
operation of nuclear power plants.
*******
PART – III
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The three-stage programme & Additionalities
The indigenous three-stage nuclear
power programme has been formulated in the context of our limited uranium but
abundant thorium reserves. The three-stage programme has important fuel cycle
linkages and has to be gone through sequentially. The sequential execution of the three-stage programme, in view of the
fuel cycle linkages, needs time.
Additionalities to the indigenous programme have been
introduced to add large nuclear power capacity in the near term, to meet the
growing electricity demand. Two LWRs of 1000 MW are under construction at
Kudankulam, Tamilnadu.
Nuclear Power
Stations in Operation
The present total nuclear power capacity in the country is 4120 MW with 17 reactors at six locations. The details of nuclear power reactors in operation are given in the Table below:
Unit |
Reactor Type |
Capacity (MW) |
Commercial Operation |
||
|
1 |
Tarapur, Dist: Thane, Maharashra
|
||||
|
1 |
TAPS-1 |
BWR |
160 |
28 Oct. 1969 |
|
|
2 |
TAPS-2 |
BWR |
160 |
28 Oct. 1969 |
|
|
3 |
TAPS-3 |
PHWR |
540 |
18 Aug. 2006 |
|
|
4 |
TAPS-4 |
PHWR |
540 |
12 Sept. 2005 |
|
|
2 |
Kakrapar, Dist:
|
||||
|
1 |
KAPS-1 |
PHWR |
220 |
06 May 1993 |
|
|
2 |
KAPS-2 |
PHWR |
220 |
01 Sept. 1995 |
|
|
3 |
Rawatbhata, Dist: Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
|
||||
|
1 |
RAPS-1 |
PHWR |
100 |
16 Dec. 1973 |
|
|
2 |
RAPS-2 |
PHWR |
200 |
01 Apr. 1981 |
|
|
3 |
RAPS-3 |
PHWR |
220 |
01 June 2000 |
|
|
4 |
RAPS-4 |
PHWR |
220 |
23 Dec. 2000 |
|
|
4 |
Narora, Dist: Buladshahar, Uttar
Pradesh
|
||||
|
1 |
NAPS-1 |
PHWR |
220 |
01 Jan.1991 |
|
|
2 |
NAPS-2 |
PHWR |
220 |
01 July 1992 |
|
|
5 |
Kaiga, Dist: Uttar Kannada, Karnataka
|
||||
|
1 |
KAIGA-1 |
PHWR |
220 |
16 Nov. 2000 |
|
|
2 |
KAIGA-2 |
PHWR |
220 |
16 Mar. 2000 |
|
|
3 |
KAIGA-3 |
PHWR |
220 |
06 May 2007 |
|
|
6 |
Kalpakkam, Dist: Kancheepuram,
Tamil Nadu
|
||||
|
1 |
MAPS-1 |
PHWR |
220 |
27 Jan. 1984 |
|
|
2 |
MAPS-2 |
PHWR |
220 |
21 May 1986 |
|
Reactors under Construction
There are six reactors under construction; three PHWRs of 220 MW, two LWRs of 1000 MW and a second stage Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) of 500 MW. Of these reactors, RAPP 5 achieved its first criticality on November 24, 2009 and is expected to start commercial operation soon.
The details of the projects under construction are shown below:
|
Scheme |
Location |
Capacity (MW) |
Progress
(%) |
Expected
of Completion
date |
|
Kaiga Atomic Power Project Unit 4 |
Kaiga, Karnataka |
220 PHWR |
97.0 |
2010 |
|
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Units -1&2 |
Kudankulam Tamilnadu |
2X1000 MW LWRs |
89.8 |
2010/2011 |
|
Rajasthan Atomic Power Project Units-5&6 |
Rawatbhata, Rajasthan |
2X220 PHWRs |
96.8 |
2009-10 |
|
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) |
Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu |
1X500 (FBR) |
51.0 |
2011 |
While RAPP 5 has
already achieved criticality, the
work on RAPP 6 & Kaiga 4 PHWRs is completed.
RAPP-6 is to achieve criticality by end of 2009/ early 2010..
Thus both units (RAPP 5&6) are now poised for commencement of commercial
during the year 2009-10. Kaiga -4 is also ready for
fuel loading which is linked to augmentation of indigenous supply of uranium.
Work on KK-1&2 and PFBR is on in full swing.
Capacity Buildup
With the progressive completion of the projects under construction, the installed nuclear power capacity will reach 7280 MW by 2011.
Future Plans
The Integrated Energy Policy of the country envisages reaching a nuclear power capacity of 63,000 MW by the year 2032. Large-scale expansion of the nuclear power, based both on indigenous reactors and reactors based on international cooperation, is planned.
The XI Plan proposals envisaged starting work on 8 PHWRs of 700 MW each, four Fast Breeder Reactors of 500 MW each, one Advanced Heavy Water Reactor of 300 MW and 40,000 MW capacity of LWRs based on international cooperation, as additionality to the indigenous programme in the XI Plan.
The Government has accorded administrative approval and
financial sanction for the construction of KAPP 3&4 (2 X 700 MW) at Kakrapar,
Sites for Future Projects
In addition, ‘in principle’ approval has been accorded, in October
2009, for sites for more nuclear power plants. The details of the location/
State/ Reactor type and capacity are:
|
Location |
Reactor Type |
Capacity (MW) |
|
Kumharia, Haryana |
Indigenous PHWRs |
4 x 700 |
|
Bargi, Madhya Pradesh |
2 X 700 |
|
|
Kudankulam, Tamilnadu * |
LWRs based on international cooperation |
4 X 1000 |
|
Jaitapur,
|
6 X 1650 |
|
|
Mithi
Virdi, |
6 X 1000 |
|
|
Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh |
6 X 1000 |
|
|
Haripur,
|
6 X 1000 |
* Additional potential, 2 X 1000 MW already under construction
The potential of the costal
sites is planned to be utilized by setting up 3-4 modules of twin LWR units in
a convoy mode. Work on the first of the twin unit modules is planned for start
by the year 2012. These projects are planned to be set up with
a gestation period
of about 6 years from the first pour of concrete
to commercial operation.
Present Status of setting up
LWRs
Consequent to the conclusion of bilateral cooperation
agreements, MoUs have been signed by NPCIL as
detailed below
· MoU with AREVA for engagement of the two companies for preparing the contract and related details of setting up two to six EPR reactors units
·
MoU with GE Hitachi
Nuclear Energy (GEH) for starting discussions on techno-commercial aspects of ABWRs in
·
MoU with Westinghouse
Electric Company (WEC) for starting discussions on techno-commercial aspects of
AP 1000 reactors in
An MoU has also been signed with
KEPCO of Korea. Discussions have also been in progress with Atomstryexport
(ASE) of
Discussions are in progress on the remaining issues to be
settled at the Government level between
In addition, these companies are also having discussions with Indian industries for development of component suppliers in the country. This would help enhanced indigenization and is also expected to reduce the capital cost of these LWRs.
************