'India to produce 20,000 MW through nuclear energy by 2020'

Kota (

), Dec 17: The country will be able to produce 20,000 MW of

using indigenous and foreign-developed nuclear technologies by 2020,

Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) Chairman and Managing Director KC Purohit said on Monday. Presently, various nuclear facilities were producing 4,800 MW, he said during an event at Rawatbhata. The country is capable of creating 750-750 MW Heavy Water Reactor facilities using indigenous technology.

Light Water Reactor technologies from US, France and Russia will be imported to be used for generating electricity in plants located in coastal areas. The construction of the 7th and 8th facility at Rawatbhata is going on smoothly, he said, adding that it is expected that one of it will be operational by 2016.

On the occasion, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) Chairman SS Bajaj said India had learnt a lesson from the Fukushima disaster in Japan. Various committees have been constituted to look into natural calamity scenarios like earthquakes, floods and give recommendations, reviewing all existing facilities. On the protests against the Kudankulam nuclear plant, he said attempts are being made to convince locals using their language.

PTI