Nuclear Thread - 4

[Arun_S]

This is myth making. The initial target of installing 20 GWatt by 2020 was impossible given limited time of 11 years, and limited worldwide capacity to make reactors. This projection of 30 GWatt is even more impractical.



As I see it, they will announce launching of these projects by 2020, and leave the building for later, as delayed installation of power plants is an accepted de-jure fact. Most of the corruption money however will be made in the run up to awarding contracts to build power plants and secure enriched fuel supply contracts.



JMT



[url="http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/12/06/stories/2009120652730300.htm"]DAE powers up nuclear generation target by 10,000 MW, to 30GW by 2020[/url]

Date:06/12/2009



S. Shanker



Rahul Wadke



Mumbai, Dec. 5



The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has raised civil nuclear power generation to 30,000 MW by 2020 against the earlier target of 20,000 MW, said Dr S. Banerjee, Secretary, DAE, and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission.



Dr Banerjee told Business Line that the growth plan for atomic energy has been worked out through a senior-level consultative process. This would come through indigenous development and imported reactors.



As of now, the indigenous programme would total up to 15,000 MW, though it was not 100 per cent domestic as it included the two foreign reactors for Koodangulam ( 2 X 1000 MW). Plans are also on to import more reactors before 2022. It could be a composition of 13 indigenous reactors and imported ones to total 30,000 MW-plus.



Negotiations were on with several countries such as France, the US and Russia and the growth would come through light-water reactors. In addition, there were reactors that work on the boiling water concept, which the department was also interested in.



Heavy water reactors



Dr Banerjee said the indigenous programme involves the development of the pressurised heavy water reactors. Recently, one was commissioned at Rajasthan (220 MW) and another (220 MW) would be commissioned soon at the same site. Both the reactors would use imported fuel. Another reactor would be commissioned at Kaiga (220 MW) that would use indigenous fuel to be made available in three months.



DAE's next step was to develop four reactors of 700 MW capacities for which government clearance had been obtained. More 700 MW reactors would come, but that it would depend on the fuel linkage. “As and when we can expand our fuel base based on indigenous fuel we will add new reactors,” he said, adding that the 500 MW fast breeder reactor being built at Kalpakkam was on schedule and would be online in 2011.



Energy parks



The Department was in the process of creating energy parks, essentially the concept is to have more reactors on the same site and share the exclusion zone. Otherwise, every reactor should have an exclusion zone. Each of the parks could have a 6 X 1000 MW or even a 6 X 1650 MW which would total to about 10,000 MW. The Government plans to create energy parks in Andhra Pradesh (Kowada), Gujarat (Chhayamithi Virdi), Maharashtra (Jaitapur) and West Bengal (Haripur).



Mr Banerjee said power generation from these parks would total 40,000 - 45,000 MW, but it would not come on stream in a day. Internationally, the supply of some of the equipment needed to build the reactors would take time. It is for this purpose that the Nuclear Power Corporation had entered into a joint venture with Larsen & Toubro to make large forgings. By harnessing domestic capabilities the country would be in a position to build lightwater reactors too.



The energy parks are expected to come up after 2020 as the projects face problems such as land acquisition. The parks would not have a mix of indigenous and imported reactors.