Setting up of new costal nuclear power stations

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) The Government today informed the Rajya Sabha that setting up of Light Water Reactors of 1,000 MW capacity and above depends on developments on opening up of international civil nuclear cooperation.

In a written reply, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan also made it clear that as per the Atomic Energy Act, only a Government company can be permitted to set up nuclear power plants. No decision has been taken with regard to companies registered under Companies Act.

On the number of nuclear power stations in the country, the Minister said there are presently 17 nuclear power reactors operating in the country with a capacity of 4,120 MW.

The generation in the year 2006-07 was 18,801 million units.

Regarding coastal nuclear power station in Orissa, Mr Chavan replied that the efforts of the Government to access international cooperation open up the possibility of setting up large capacity nuclear power stations comprising of Light Water Reactors based on imports at coastal locations.

The actual setting up of these reactors would, however, depend on the international developments in this regard.

He further said that the Site Selection Committee (SSC) set up by the Government is currently evaluating potential of sites offered by coastal states. The power capacity of the stations can be in the range of 6,000 to 10,000 MW.

A site at Patisonapur in Orissa is among the sites being avaluated by the SSC, Mr Chavan added.

UNI