The country’s nuclear power generation is expected to reach 20,000 MW in another 20 years, a top official of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) said today.
At present, about 4,785 MW is being generated by 20 atomic power stations of different capacity across the country and it would touch 7,300 MW by 2013, the IGCAR Director, Mr S.C. Chetal, told reporters here on the sidelines of a function.
With more reactors in the pipeline, it is expected that the production of nuclear power will reach the 20,000-MW mark in 20 years, he said.
On safety aspects, he said though all atomic power stations were safe and necessary standards ensured, the measures were rechecked and reassessed, particularly those in Tarapore and Kalpakkam after the recent reactor meltdown in Japan.
“We have confirmed that all reactors are safe,” he said.
Asked about the delay in commissioning the Koodamkulam power project in Tamil Nadu, Mr Chetal attributed it to the delay in procuring technology from Russia, which is collaborating in the setting up of the 2x1000 MW VER reactors at the plant.
Officials of the plant have recently said the first of the two reactors would start commercial production by December.