IAEA PRIS Report: Implications for India and the World

IAEA PRIS Report: Implications for India and the World

Question : The Power Reactor Information System/PRIS of IAEA has been released. Discuss its implications for India and the world.

There are 31 countries including India which generate electricity from a nuclear source
Implications for India

- Data published by PRIS of the IAEA ranked India at 12th position in terms of generation of power

- It attained 6th position for number of reactors in operation countrywide internationally

- Current installed nuclear power capacity in India is 5780 MW

- It is expected to increase to 10080 MW associated with progressive completion of projects under commissioning and construction by the year 2019

- Government has also accorded financial sanction and administrative approval for the following:

- Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) Units – 1&2 (2X700 MW)

- Kudankulam Units- 3&4 (2X1000 MW) with complete capacity of 3400 MW

- One Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor of 500 MW capacity at TN’s Kalpakkam is at advanced stage of commissioning

- Construction of 2 more FBR of 600MW mach will be based in TN, Kalpakkam

- More nuclear power projects are based on indigenous technologies and global cooperation now

- India has also signed nuclear agreements with the US, France, Russia, Mongolia, Namibia, ROK, Argentine Republic, UK, Republic of Kazakhstan, Australia, Sri Lanka and Canada.

Implications for the World

- Nuclear power capacity worldwide is gradually increasing with over 60 reactors under construction within 15 nations

- More reactors are planned in the Asian region and Russia

- Significant capacity increase is being facilitated by plant upgrading

- Plant life extension programs are maintaining capacity in the US especially

- Currently, there are 437 nuclear power reactors operating in 31 nations including Taiwan with combined total capacity of 380 GWe

- In 2014, this accounted for over 11% of the electricity across the globe

- Installed nuclear capacity growth is 60% through 543 GWe in the year 2030 and 624 GWe in 2040. This is from a total of 10,700 GWe with most concentrated in China

- Low carbon 450 scenario provides cost effective transition to limiting global warming assuming an international agreement in 2015

- This doubles nuclear capacity to 862 GWe in 2040 while energy related CO2 emissions will rise before 2020 to their peak and the decline

Facts and Stats

- In the 1980s, 218 nuclear power reactors started up averaging one every 17 days

- Increased nuclear capacity in some countries will result from updating of existing plants to bring on new capacity

- Numerous power reactors in several Western nations such as the US, Sweden, Belgium and Germany will enhance their capacity