PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU RELEASES on NUCLEAR ENERGY (2003-2012)* Compiled by Kiran J Prakash Centre for Nuclear & Arms Control 1, Development Enclave, Rao Tula Ram Marg, New Delhi-110010 Visit us: www.idsa.in PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU RELEASES ON NUCLEAR ENERGY (2003-2012)* CONTENTS 1 Nuclear Energy- International Co-Operation 1 2 Nuclear Energy- Safety 50 3 International Cooperation 73 4 India-United States Co-operation In Nuclear Energy 83 5 India-Russia Co-operation In Nuclear Energy 125 6 India-France Co-operation In Nuclear Energy 127 7 India-United Kingdom Co-operation In Nuclear Energy 135 8 India-Canada Co-operation In Nuclear Energy 137 9 Nuclear Energy- International Agreements 141 *Till 15 August 2012 Nuclear and Arms Control Centre NUCLEAR ENERGY- INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION 1 Visit us: www.idsa.in Nuclear and Arms Control Centre Press Information Bureau Government of India Department of Space 09-August-2012 17:43 IST Commissioning of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant The commissioning of Unit-1 of Kudankulam project is scheduled to be completed very soon. The removal of dummy fuel and inspection of the Reactor Pressure Vessel have been completed in Unit-1. The report of inspection has been submitted to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). No defects have been noticed during final inspections. After completing inspection, application for fuel loading has been submitted to regulatory authorities. This will be followed by fuel loading, approach to criticality and power generation after obtaining stage-wise clearance from the AERB. An expert group of eminent scientists, academicians, doctors and engineers specializing in diverse fields constituted by the Government carried out a study of the safety and related aspects of the Kudankulam project and explained the same to the representatives of the people protesting against the commissioning of the project. The expert group of the Central Government has comprehensively addressed the concerns expressed by the local people and others and found the Kudankulam Plant to be safe. An expert committee constituted by the Government of Tamil Nadu has also found this plant to be safe. The above information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry Personnel, PG & Pensions and in the Prime Minister’s Office (Shri V. Narayanasamy) in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. MC/sk URL: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=85905 Press Information Bureau Government of India Department of Space 09-August-2012 17:39 IST Cost of Kudankulam Nuclear Project and Commencement of Commercial Production The initial estimated cost of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1&2 (KKNPP 1&2) was Rs. 13,171 crores and completion dates for Unit 1&2 were December 2007 and December 2008, respectively. Of the four nuclear projects, Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant, Unit 3&4 (KAPP Units 3&4 – 2x700 MW), Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant, Units 7&8 (RAPP Units 7&8 – 2x700 MW) are progressing on schedule. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant KKNPP Units 1&2 and Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), Kalpakkam have time and cost overrun. The details in this regard are as follows: 2 Visit us: www.idsa.in Nuclear and Arms Control Centre KKNPP Unit 1&2 PFBR, Kalpakkam Original completion date December 2007 (Unit 1) & September 2010 December 2008 (Unit 2) Expected completion date August 2012 (Unit 1) & September 2014 March 2013 (Unit 2) Original completion cost Rs. 13171 crore (Unit 1&2) Rs. 3492 crore Expected completion cost Rs. 17270 crore (Unit 1&2) Rs. 5677 crore A credit of Rs. 6,416 crore has been advanced by the Russian Federation for the KKNPP Units 1&2. The first and second units of Kudankulam project are schedule to reach criticality (first start of fission chain reaction) in August 2012 and March 2013 and commence commercial operation by October 2012 and June 2013, respectively. The inspection of the Reactor Pressure Vessel using a specially designed remote controlled machine has been completed. The above information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry Personnel, PG & Pensions and in the Prime Minister’s Office (Shri V. Narayanasamy) in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today. URL: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=85903 Press Information Bureau Government of India Department of Space 09-August-2012 17:37 IST Nuclear Power Target The target as projected in Integrated Energy Policy of the country is to reach a nuclear power capacity of 63,000 MW by the year 2032. The current installed capacity of 4780 MW is planned to reach 10,080 MW by 2017 on progressive completion of 7 reactors under construction with an aggregate capacity of 5300 MW. The XII Five Year Plan envisages start of work on nuclear power reactors adding to total an additional capacity of 17400 MW. This additional planned capacity makes it total to 27480 MW by the year 2023-24. Further, more nuclear power reactors based both on indigenous technologies and with foreign technical cooperation are also planned in future to achieve the target. The above information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry Personnel, PG & Pensions and in the Prime Minister’s Office (Shri V. Narayanasamy) in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. MC/sk URL: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=85902 3 Visit us: www.idsa.in Nuclear and Arms Control Centre Press Information Bureau Government of India Ministry of Science & Technology 21-March-2012 16:35 IST Nuclear Power Plant Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), a public sector undertaking under the department of atomic energy, is having discussions with foreign companies for supply of equipments for setting up large capacity Reactors on technical cooperation basis. These companies are M/s Atomstroy export (ASE) of Russian Federation, M/s AREVA of France, M/s Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) and M/s GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy of USA. This information was revealed by Minister of State in PMO Shri V Narayansamy in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. The Minister said that the cost of nuclear power, inter-alia, depends on the type of technology, life of plant, cost of fuel etc. The levelised cost of power from Light Water Reactors (LWRs) being set up in the country with foreign technical cooperation is expected to be comparable to that of similar plants in developed countries. DK/bs URL: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=81365 Press Information Bureau Government of India Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises 21-December-2011 12:49 IST Tapping of Nuclear Reactor Turbine Market by BHEL Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) proposes international partnership to tap the nuclear reactor turbine market in the country. A Joint Venture Company (JVC) for execution of Conventional Island (Turbine side) for 700 MWe nuclear power plants is contemplated to be set up between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), BHEL and Alstom of France. BHEL is further making efforts to associate with other international nuclear reactor vendors for possible cooperation to manufacture the components of higher size reactors. BHEL has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in February 2011 with NPCIL and Alstom for formation of JVC for execution of Conventional Island (Turbine side) of Nuclear Power Plant for 700 MWe and above. In January 2011, an MOU has also been signed between BHEL and GE-Hitachi (USA) for possible cooperation to Manufacture components of higher size reactors (1000 MWe & above). Based on the MOU signed between BHEL,NPCIL and Alstom for formation of an JVC, BHEL has received orders for manufacture & supply of Steam Turbine Generator package in consortium with Alstom for 2x700 4 Visit us: www.idsa.in Nuclear and Arms Control Centre MWe nuclear power plant of NPCIL at Kakrapar Units # 3 & 4. For this, Steam Turbine components are being manufactured and supplied by BHEL and Alstom, and balance equipment including erection & commissioning is being undertaken by BHEL. BHEL shall be manufacturing Steam Turbine components based on manufacturing drawings given by Alstom. This information was given by the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Praful Patel in the Rajya Sabha. MC/ls URL: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=79090 Press Information Bureau Government of India Department of Atomic Energy 15-December-2011 18:22 IST Nuclear Plant in Rajasthan The site selection committee of Nuclear Power Corporation has identified a place for establishing a new nuclear energy power project near Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam in Banswada in Rajasthan. The Committee appointed by the Central Government has evaluated the site at Mahi-Banswara in Rajasthan in accordance to the criteria laid down in Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) siting code and found it to be suitable. The Government has accorded ‘in principle’ approval of the site for locating 4x700 MW nuclear power plants. The plan is to et up the project in two phases of 2x700 MW each. Currently, pre-project activities have been initiated at the site. These include land acquisition, obtaining statutory clearances, site investigations and preparation of detailed project report. The project financial sanction of the first phase is expected in the XII Five year plan. The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office Sh V Narayanasamy gave this information in a written reply to a question by Dr. Prabha Thakur and Shri Ashk Ali Tak in Rajya Sabha today. KP URL: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=78787 5 Visit us: www.idsa.in Nuclear and Arms Control Centre Press Information Bureau Government of India Department of Atomic Energy 15-December-2011 18:18 IST Liabilities of Suppliers as Per Nuclear Damage Rules, 2011 The liability of the supplier of nuclear equipment or material or services will be as per section 17 of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 read with Rule 24 of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Rules, 2011.