Parliament Question: Expansion of nuclear power capacity

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-641 ANSWERED ON 05/02/2026 EXPANSION OF NUCLEAR POWER CAPACITY 641. SHRI MEDA RAGHUNADHA REDDY Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:- (a) the current status of India’s installed nuclear power capacity and the projected increase to 22, 480 MW by 2031- 32, including the details on timeline and phases of development (b) the measures taken to enhance operational efficiency and safety of existing nuclear reactors, particularly the 24 reactors currently installed and the details regarding the 21 new reactors with a total capacity of 15,300 MW that are under various stages of implementation; and; (c) whether Government has conducted any assessments regarding the environmental impacts of expanding nuclear power capacity and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a) & (b) The present installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 8,780 MW comprising of 24 nuclear power plants (excluding RAPS-1 – 100 MW). In addition, 17 nuclear power reactors with a total capacity of 13100 MW are under implementation, comprising of 7 nuclear reactors under construction and 10 reactors under pre-project activities. These are expected to be completed progressively by 2031-32. Further, BHAVINI is currently commissioning a 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) project at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. Government has accorded approval to carry out pre-project activities for 2 x 500 MWe twin unit of FBR 1&2 project at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. On attaining first criticality of PFBR, Government will be approached for financial sanction of FBR 1 & 2 projects. Review of safety and performance of reactors and implementation of necessary upgrades measures to enhance their safety and performance to the state of the art is an ongoing exercise.Presently, major Renovation & Modernisation / Refurbishment work is in progress for 04 of the 24 operating reactors. The details of 17 reactors under implementation are as follows: Location Project Capacity Physical (MW) Progress Projects under Construction / Commissioning Rawatbhata RAPP- 8 1 X 700 98.60 Rajasthan Kudankulam, KKNPP-3&4 2 X 1000 80.51 Tamilnadu KKNPP-5&6 2 X 1000 41.56 Civil works Gorakhpur, GHAVP-1&2 2 X 700 in progress Haryana Projects under pre-project Activities Kaiga, Karnataka Kaiga-5&6 2 X 700 Under pre- project Gorakhpur, GHAVP– 3&4 2 X 700 activities at Haryana various Chutka, Madhya stages Chutka-1&2 2 X 700 Pradesh Mahi Banswara- 2 X 700 Mahi Banswara, 1&2* Rajasthan Mahi Banswara- 2 X 700 3&4* * Mahi Banswara-1&2 and Mahi Banswara-3&4 being implemented by ASHVINI, a Joint Venture of NPCIL and NTPC. (c) Yes. In respect of nuclear power plants, a comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study in line with the Terms of Reference (TOR) approved by the MoEF&CC is carried out and the prescribed process followed to obtain Environmental Clearance for the project from MoEF&CC. The project construction is commenced only after obtaining Environmental clearance. *****