The share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country was about 3.4% in the year 2015-16.
It will be progressively increased by addition of nuclear power capacity.
The present capacity of 5780 MW will reach 6780 MW by the end of this financial year, with the commercial operation of Kudankulam Unit-2, which is already generating infirm power at the rated capacity.
The capacity is expected to reach 9580 MW by 2020 on progressive completion of projects under construction and about 12980 MW by 2024 on completion of new projects accorded sanction.
A large expansion programme based on both Indian technologies and with foreign technical cooperation is planned ahead.
GoI has also given ‘in principle’ approval for the site at Kovvada in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.
This is for setting up six Light Water Reactors in cooperation with the USA.
Pre-project activities including land acquisition, obtaining statutory clearances and detailed site investigations are continuing at the site.
In parallel, discussions on the techno-commercial aspects with M/s Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) to arrive at a project proposal have also started.
