PARLIAMENT QUESTION: EXPANSION OF NUCLEAR POWER CAPACITY

Executive Summary This report details the Department of Atomic Energy’s expansion of nuclear power capacity as of July 30, 2026. It outlines the status of 20 nuclear power reactors currently under implementation, including ten under construction and ten in pre-project activities, alongside associated costs and employment estimates. The document also highlights safety regulatory frameworks and a new indigenous medical application for treating liver tumors.

Key Points / Main Content

• Reactor Implementation Status

  • Ten reactors are currently under construction or commissioning in locations including Rawatbhata (Rajasthan), Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu), Gorakhpur (Haryana), and Kaiga (Karnataka).
  • Ten additional reactors are in pre-project stages, located in Gorakhpur (Haryana), Chutka (Madhya Pradesh), Mahi Banswara (Rajasthan), and Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu).
  • Approved costs for these projects range from ₹8,181 crore (PFBR) to over ₹69,000 crore (KKNPP-5&6).

• Employment Generation

  • Peak construction for each project is estimated to employ approximately 8,000 persons.
  • Operational twin unit stations are expected to employ around 2,000 persons (direct and indirect).
  • The Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) project is estimated to provide 650 direct and 3,600 indirect jobs.

• Safety and Regulatory Framework

  • The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) continuously monitors and reviews the safety of all nuclear power plants.
  • Safety principles include redundancy, diversity, and fail-safe design features following an overlapping "defence-in-depth" approach.
  • High priority is given to safety across all stages: siting, design, construction, commissioning, and operation.

• Medical Innovations and Initiatives

  • BARC and the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) developed "90Y-BhabhaSphere," an Indian version of radioactive microspheres for treating liver tumors.
  • The product has passed all safety tests and received official approval for medical use by the Radiopharmaceutical Committee (RPC).
  • It is currently produced and sold domestically by the Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT).

Impact Analysis

Department of Atomic Energy & Nuclear Power Agencies Impact: Managing a massive scale-up of 20 reactor units with significant financial oversight (hundreds of thousands of crores in approved costs). Action Required: Execute construction and pre-project activities while ensuring all facilities strictly comply with AERB safety codes and guides.

Workforce and Local Communities Impact: Significant job creation, with up to 8,000 persons employed per project during peak construction and 2,000 during operations. Action Required: No specific action mentioned, but the document implies a need for a sustained supply of both direct technical staff and indirect support labor.

Medical Sector and Patients Impact: Access to a lifesaving, indigenous, and cost-effective treatment for inoperable liver tumors, reducing reliance on expensive imports. Action Required: Medical professionals can now utilize "90Y-BhabhaSphere" for radio-embolization procedures following its approval by the RPC.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) Impact: Increased regulatory oversight responsibility due to the doubling of reactors under implementation. Action Required: Maintain robust safety reviews and continuous monitoring at multiple levels to ensure compliance with radiation safety requirements.