Act to be amended for private sector to set up nuclear energy plants

New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha was today informed that Atomic Energy Act 1962 allows nuclear power generation only by a Company having more than 51 per cent shares of the Government.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan said an amendment to the act would be required to enable private sector participation in nuclear power generation and no final decision has been taken in this matter.

Mr Chavan further said many foreign firms are also engaged in discussions at the company level for setting up of nuclear power projects in the country. ''However, these discussions are only of exploratory nature,'' he informed the Upper House.

Presently, there are 16 nuclear power reactors under operation in the country with a total installed capacity of 3900 MWe and the present capacity will be increased to 4120 MWe by the end of Tenth Plan, he said and added that large scale expansion of the nuclear power is envisaged beyond Eleventh Plan.

Regarding atomic energy plant in Madhya Pradesh, the Minister said that Madhya Pradesh Government has requested the Centre to set up a nuclear power plant at Bhimpur in Shivpuri district in the State.

Approval of new sites is done in tune with the requirements of planned growth of nuclear power programme taking into account characteristics of sites available for consideration, resources and other energy options available in the region.

Bhimpur site would be considered along with other sites when new sites are required to be identified, he added.

UNI BBS YA DS1503