Indian nuclear generation to reach 14,000 MW, says Kakodkar

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar today said India was en route to a nuclear energy generation of 14,000 MW with the government giving green signal to eight reactors at four different locations.

The eight reactors alone could produce 6,800 MW of energy for the energy-strapped country aspiring for a long term energy security, Dr Kakodkar told the 50th general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.

''With the completion of these units alongwith other units that are already under construction, the total nuclear power generation capacity in India would reach around 14,000 MW,'' said Dr Kakodkar, the leader of the Indian delegation to the IAEA general conference.

India currently has 16 nuclear reactors with a capacity of only 3,900 MW, which forms a meagre three per cent of the total power generation in the country.

A message from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the conference said India was for expanding civil nuclear cooperation with the international community to supplement and complement domestic efforts for additional nuclear energy.

''We look forward to cooperating with international partners in realising this possibility,'' the message, which was read out by Dr Kakodkar, said.

Dr Kakodkar said the construction of the 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor was on schedule and is expected to be commissioned by the year 2010.

Pointing out that less than half of the 443 nuclear power reactors in the world are under IAEA safeguards, he said with anticipated rapid growth in demand for nuclear power, mainly in the developing countries, cost effective safeguards are essential so that the safeguard system does not itself become a hindrance to the development of nuclear power.

India, he said, feels it is necessary to look for institutional as well as technological solutions with enhanced proliferation resistance along with an assured fuel supply, without adversely affecting long-term sustainability of nuclear fuel resources.

UNI RT/FZ SRS BD1945