Nuclear Power Generation in Republic of India

[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
27-July, 2017 18:29 IST
Irradiation Facilities for Horticultural Produces

The quantum of horticulture produce in India is large. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has been engaged in R&D work on the technology of preservation and hygienisation of food and agri-products by radiation. It has set up two technology demonstration units, one commissioned in the year 2000 for high dose irradiation at Vashi, Navi Mumbai, and another in 2002, for low dose irradiation, KRUSHAK (Krushi Utpadan Sanrakshan Kendra) facility at Lasalgaon, near Nashik. The facilities are being operated by the Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT).

Recently the harmonization of food irradiation rules with the international regulation through adaptation of class wise clearance of irradiated food items by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken place [Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Sixth Amendment Regulations, 2016] for large scale deployment of this technology.

Currently 15 irradiation plants are functional in the country which include two plants set up by Government of India (KRUSHAK at Lasalgaon, Nashik, Maharashtra; and Radiation Processing Plant at Vashi, Navi Mumbai), and one each by the State Governments of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Annually, about 20,000 MT of food and allied products are being irradiated in the country. For setting up more plants, MoU have been signed with private firms.

Irradiation is very effective in treating the horticultural produces. Extension of shelf life of horticultural produces is very much dependant on the produce, variety and storage conditions. For many fresh agri produce subjected to irradiation and proper storage, substantial shelf life extension has been achieved.

A 5-10% increase in cost is normally expected due to the processing charges. Irradiation costs may range from Rs. 0.5 to 1.0/ kg for a low dose application such as sprout inhibition in potato and onion and insect disinfestation in cereals and pulses; and Rs. 5-10/kg for high dose applications such as treatment of spices for microbial decontamination. The costs could be brought down in a multipurpose facility treating a variety of produces throughout the year. In many cases, extended shelf life offsets the extra cost. Processing also brings benefits to consumers in terms of availability, storage life, distribution, and improved hygiene of food. Irradiation can have a stabilizing effect on market price of commodities by reducing storage losses resulting in increased availability of produce. Currently its estimated cost comes in the range of Rs. 15-20 crores excluding land cost. The Department of Atomic Energy provides Scientific and Technical assistance for setting up such facilities.

The process of setting a facility takes about 2-3 years. This would include site selection, regulatory clearances, construction of the facility and obtaining necessary documentations and licenses. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT) can provide the scientific and technical assistance for setting up such facilities. This will depend upon the number of entrepreneurs coming forward to setup irradiation facilities across the country.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
02-August, 2017 15:48 IST
Electricity Generated from Nuclear Power Plants

Electricity generated by central sector generating stations is allocated to the beneficiary States and Union Territories in the electricity region by the Ministry of Power (MoP). As per the extant guidelines of MoP, 50% of power is allocated to ‘Home’ State, 15% unallocated power kept at the disposal of Government of India and 35% is allocated to other constituents (except ‘Home’ State) of that region.

The present tariffs of nuclear power range from Rs 1.07 per unit in case of the oldest nuclear power station, Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) - 1&2 at Tarapur, Maharashtra to Rs 4.10 in case of the latest station, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) -1&2 at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu. Nuclear power tariffs are comparable to those from contemporary units of other electricity generating technologies located in the area.

Reducing costs of nuclear power is an ongoing effort. In respect of indigenously designed Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), efforts in this regard have included increasing unit size from 220 MW to 540 MW and further to 700 MW to gain from economies of scale, standardisation, improvement in design and efficiency and optimisation of gestation period. In respect of projects to be set up with foreign cooperation, the measures include adopting appropriate business models to arrive at competitive unit cost.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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Department of Atomic Energy
02-August, 2017 15:47 IST
Involvement of Foreign Companies in Indian Nuclear Sector

Several foreign companies from various countries including Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) and GE-Hitachi, United States of America (USA), Electricite de France (EDF), France and Rosatom, Russia have shown interest in participating in the country’s nuclear power projects in various capacities as technology partners, suppliers, contractors, service providers, etc.

As per the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy of the Government, FDI is not permitted in nuclear power sector. Thus, foreign companies cannot invest in nuclear power. Nuclear power projects to be set up with foreign technical cooperation are planned to be funded by a mix of equity and debt, with equity to be mobilised from internal resources of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Joint Venture companies between NPCIL and other Central Public Sector Undertakings and Government budgetary support. Foreign companies can however, invest in the supply chain for nuclear power projects.

The present tariffs of nuclear power range from Rs 1.07 per unit in case of the oldest nuclear power station, Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) - 1&2 at Tarapur, Maharashtra to Rs 4.10 in case of the latest station, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) -1&2 at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu. Nuclear power tariffs are comparable to those from other electricity generating plants (based on other technologies) located in the same area. Every twin unit nuclear power station would generate a direct employment of about 850 comprising engineers, supervisors, technicians and other personnel. In addition, indirect employment for thousands of people would be generated with suppliers, contractors, service providers, etc. The resultant increase in economic activity would also open up opportunities for various businesses and will result in further employment generation.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
03-August, 2017 17:49 IST
Consultation for Civil Nuclear Deal

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has been in discussions with M/s Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC), United States of America (USA) to arrive at a viable project proposal for setting up nuclear power plants in India. The filing of bankruptcy by M/s WEC has been noted. This would be factored-in during further discussions to ensure protection of our interests while arriving at the project proposals.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
10-August, 2017 15:34 IST
Establishment of Eight Additional Power Reactors

The Government has accorded ‘in principle’ approval of five sites for locating 28 nuclear power reactors with a total capacity of about 32000 MW.


In addition, there are presently nine reactors under construction with a total capacity of 6700 MW. The Government has also recently accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for twelve reactors with a total capacity of 9000 MW.


The details are as follows:

Presently, following nuclear power projects are under various stages of construction:

Project
Location & State
Capacity(MW)

KAPP-3&4
Kakrapar, Gujarat
2 x 700

RAPP-7&8
Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
2 x 700

KKNPP– 3&4
Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu
2 x 1000

PFBR
Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
500

GHAVP-1&2
Gorakhpur, Haryana
2 x 700



In addition, following nuclear power projects have been accorded financial sanction and administrative approval by the Government:



Project
Location & State
Capacity(MW)

Projects Accorded Administrative Approval & Financial Sanction

GHAVP-3&4
Gorakhpur, Haryana
2 x 700

Kaiga-5&6
Kaiga, Karnataka
2 x 700

Chutka-1&2
Chutka, Madhya Pradesh
2 x 700

Mahi Banswara-1 to 4
Mahi Banswara, Rajasthan
4 x 700

KKNPP-5&6
Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu
2 x 1000



The Government has also accorded ‘In principle’ approval of the following sites for setting up nuclear power plants in future.



Sites Accorded ‘In-Principle’ Approval

Bhimpur, Units-1 to 4
Bhimpur, Madhya Pradesh
4 x 700

Jaitapur, Units-1 to 6
Jaitapur, Maharashtra
6 x 1650

Kovvada, Units-1 to 6
Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh
6 x 1208

Chhaya Mithi Virdi, Units-1 to 6
Chhaya Mithi Virdi, Gujarat
6 x 1000*

Haripur, Units-1 to 6
Haripur, West Bengal
6 x 1000*

*Nominal Capacity

On completion of the projects presently under construction and accorded financial sanction, the installed nuclear power capacity is expected to reach 10080 MW by 2020 and over 20000 MW by 2031.


This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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[Hindustani78]

August 23, 2017 21:02 IST
Updated: August 23, 2017 21:02 IST

Second scheduled fuel outage in the reactor commenced on April 13
TIRUNELVELI
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...neration-soon-tirunelveli/article19546847.ece

As the second scheduled fuel outage in the first reactor of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) that commenced on April 13 has been completed, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has given permission for operating the reactor again for power generation.

Subsequently, power generation in the reactor was expected to cross significant level before this week-end, sources in the KKNPP said.

Of the 163 enriched uranium fuel assemblies in the 1,000 MW VVER (water-cooled water-moderated) rector – each measuring 4.57 metres and weighing about 705 kg – 50 spent fuel assemblies were removed during the maintenance and replaced with fresh bundles.

The 65-day-long first fuel outage of the first reactor commenced on June 24, 2015. Though the exercise took more time than expected as it was the first experience with a 1,000 MW Russian reactor for KKNPP engineers, the maintenance of the reactor was successfully completed, officials said.

The KKNPP administration, before the start of the second fuel outage, had announced that the removal of 33% of the spent fuel and loading of fresh enriched uranium bundles into the reactor core would be completed within 65 days even as the exercise began on April 13. However, the process has consumed more than 133 days.

KKNPP Site Director S.V. Jinna told The Hindu that the reactor was ready for criticality after the scheduled refuelling outage. “The AERB, after inspecting every vital parameter of the reactor, has given clearance for resuming power generation in the first reactor, which will attain criticality on Thursday. Within a week, it will get synchronised with the southern grid,” he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Jaduguda mine is the second deepest operating underground mine of India after Hutti gold mine.
india Updated: Aug 28, 2017 17:28 IST
Press Trust of India, Jamshedpur

Work taking place at a mine. The physics lab will be set up at a depth of 555 metre inside the oldest uranium mine at Jaduguda.(HT File Photo )

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...physics-lab/story-Q6sNKcX6zfMtoLdmeRBV3K.html


A research and development facility will be inaugurated inside the deepest uranium mine of the Uranium Corporation of India Limited at Jadugoda near here on September 2, a senior UCIL official said.

The new physics laboratory in a uranium mine will be the first of its kind in the country after closure of a similar facility at Bharat Gold Mine at Kolar in Karnataka in 1992, AK Sarangi, General Manager (Corporate Planning), UCIL said here today.

The UCIL and Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata have set up the laboratory for experiments in fundamental physics involving rare event searches like dark matter search, neutrinoless double beta decay, he said.

Sekhar Basu, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, will inaugurate the facility set up at a depth of 555 metre inside the oldest uranium mine at Jaduguda, around 30 km from here, on September 2.

Sarangi said, in the first phase, the infrastructure available at a depth of 555 metre in the mine was found to be suitable for construction of a small to medium size laboratory.

The present depth of Jaduguda mine is now 905 metre. It is the second deepest operating underground mine of the country after Hutti gold mine which is more than 1000 metre deep.

Referring to activities of UCIL in Jharkhand, Sarangi said, the public sector unit has altogether seven mines including six underground mines. These mines are Jaduguda, Bhatin, Narwapahar, Bagjata, Turamdih and Mahuldih and Banduhurang (open pit mine).

The UCIL operates two ore processing plants one each at Jadugude and Turamdih.

While the mining activity at Jaduguda and Bhatin mine are stalled since September 2014 due to mining lease and forest land renewal issue, other mines are working satisfactorily, he said.

Sarangi said, the UCIL has a proposal to set up additional production facilities in the vicinity of Narwapahar in East Singhbum district and modernise its Bhatin mine.

These activities will require an investment of about Rs 1,500 crore in the coming 6-7 years, he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Press Trust of India, Jamshedpur, Sep 2 2017, 18:42 IST

The lab will operate inside the Jaduguda uranium mine in Jharkhand. UCIL photo.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/631083/underground-dark-matter-laboratory-inaugurated.html



An underground dark matter laboratory for conducting experiments in fundamental physics involving rare event searches was today inaugurated in the oldest uranium mine at Jaduguda in Jharkhand.

Dr Sekhar Basu, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), inaugurated the facility at a depth of 555 metre in the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) mine at Jadugoda, 30 km from here.

Speaking to reporters later at Jadugora mine premises, Basu said, "We knew of an estimated five per cent of the possible 30 per cent matters existing in the universe and this new facility will help us to research about the unknown matters."

"We have started working on it but it does not mean we will be successful,"he said. "However, we will progress step by step to achieve the desired result," he said.

The laboratory has been set up by the UCIL and Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata by utilizing the available infrastructure and underground facilities of the Jaduguda mine.

This new physics laboratory at UCIL will be the first of its kind in the country after closure of a similar facility at Bharat Gold Mine in Kolar (Karnataka) in early 1992.

The present depth of Jaduguda mine is 905 metre. It is the second deepest operating underground mine of the country after Hutti Gold mine which is more than 1000 metres deep.

Asked about the projects the DAE was working on, Basu said, the department has plans to develop four cancer hospitals on the line of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, which he described as one of the best institutes of the world and the cheapest.

The hospitals are proposed at Vishakhapatnam , Mohali, Sangrur and at the BHU campus in Varanasi, he said adding that the investment proposal has to be cleared by the government, he said.

Emphasizing the need for participation of state governments, he said a small hospital with the co-operation of the Punjab government has been established at Sangrur.

Punjab government has provided the infrastructure including building, land and electricity to set up the hospital equipped with three modern operation theatres and six speciality wards.

The DAE has provided manpower, equipment and is bearing the regular expenses, he said.

The DAE has also been asked to develop a hospital in the campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and a Railway hospital, which were not in a good shape, he said.

Basu also offered technology support to the Tatas, for their proposed ten hospitals across the country.

On the nuclear energy front, the DAE Chairman said, the department has plans to generate an additional 14,000 Mw electricity by 2030.

"We have an installed capacity of 6780 MW from 22 reactors in operation and additional 21 reactors are in various stages of installations", he said expressing hope that the department could produce 14,000 Mw of electricity from these reactors in 10/12 years.

About the uranium production in the country, C K Asnani, chairman-cum-managing director of UCIL said, the UCIL has plans to enhance the production capacity of uranium by ten fold by 2030.

Apart from its proposed mine in Rahil, Rajasthan and Gogi in Karnataka, he said the production capacity would be increased by two/three fold at Turampalle mine in Andhra Pradesh and expansion of operations would be carried out at Narwa Pahar mine in East Singhbhum district.

 

[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
20-September, 2017 20:58 IST
Statement by Dr Sekhar Basu, Chairman Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy at the 61st IAEA General Conference

I would take this opportunity to convey on behalf of the people of India, and the Government of India the warmest greetings to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Member States on the occasion of 61st General Conference.

India has always given primacy to IAEA’s role in the promotion of peaceful uses of atomic energy, both in the area of nuclear power and nuclear applications, while maintaining due support in IAEA’s role in safeguards.

I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as President of the 61st General Conference. I am sure that the current General Conference will accomplish successfully all the tasks laid before it under your leadership.

We welcome Granada as a new Member to IAEA.

I would like to compliment Dr. Yukiya Amano for his reappointment for the third consecutive term as the Director General of IAEA. Your Excellency, Mr. Amanov, through your tireless effort you have steward the work of the Agency so that it can be better prepared to face the contemporary challenges and also realize the immense opportunities that lie ahead.

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs participated in the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Security held in Vienna in December 2016. In the meet, India reiterated its commitment to global nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

I am happy to inform that we have signed Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with Bangladesh in April this year alongwith two more complementary Agreements.

We are collaborating with our Russian and Bangladeshi partners on establishing Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.

India became Associate Member of European Organisation of Nuclear Research (CERN) in November 2016 with whom we have been working for the last five decades.

We have also signed Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement with Japan and Vietnam.

Let me tell you some of the recent developments in our country in the field of the Nuclear Energy and its applications:

This year we have completed 7 decades of our independence. 70th year of Indian independence has also been an year of exceptional achievements for us in the area of nuclear power, heavy water, nuclear fuel and associated material, uranium mining and milling, rare earth, radio isotopes and cancer care. All our research facilities, including synchrotron, cyclotron and reactors achieved their highest ever performance.

We are making sustained efforts to achieve major growth in our programmes of nuclear energy and nuclear applications.

Recently, Indian Government has approved the construction of 10 Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors in serial mode and also the construction of 2 more reactors at Kudankulam. Apart from the objective of major growth in carbon free electricity production, this step will give major boost to the industries producing the reactor equipment in India.

With these reactors we will now have 21 reactors under construction and 22 reactors in operation. This will increase the capacity to over 22,000 MWe by the end of next decade. We shall continue to add more capacity in future.

To cater to the needs of expansion of nuclear power programme, we are also stepping up our exploration and mining operation for production of uranium. In the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor front, after completion of construction, the commissioning activities are making steady progress while fulfilling all the safety requirements.

In the Cancer care sector, we have started major expansion by taking up construction/ upgradation of 6 additional facilities throughout our country. This will help us in doubling number of new patients treated from the present figure of 70,000 in the next 4 - 5 years. We have established a cancer grid connecting over 100 hospitals for diagnostic and therapeutic consultancy. We are also reorganizing ourselves to cater to further expansion in terms of research, education and patient care.

In the frontier science area, we are establishing a small underground research laboratory in one of our uranium mines for pursuing research on dark matter. This will enthuse scientists from all generations.

As part of our celebration of 70 years of independence of our country, we organized a side event at this venue on Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership and I thank all of you who participated in the programme. This Centre will have 5 schools covering safety, security and societal activities. I invite Member States to make use of this facility under the aegis of IAEA. We thank the city of Vienna, and the people and the Government of Austria, for hosting the IAEA and this event. India looks forward to IAEA’s continued leadership for fostering safe, secure and sustainable use nuclear energy in the future. India will continue to support IAEA in all areas of its endeavor.

We wish the 61st General Conference a grand success.

Thank you.

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[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...power-installations-study/article19744091.ece

Chennai , September 23, 2017 22:19 IST
Updated: September 23, 2017 22:19 IST

But share of nuclear energy generation stagnates globally, and several countries shut down nuclear reactors in 2017
India is third in the world in the number of nuclear reactors being installed, at six, while China is leading at 20, the World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2017, released this month, shows. The number of nuclear reactor units under construction is, however, declining globally for the fourth year in a row, from 68 reactors at the end of 2013 to 53 by mid-2017, the report says.

The latest report further reveals that most nuclear reactor constructions are behind schedule, with delays resulting in increase in project costs and delay in power generation. There are 37 reactor constructions behind schedule, of which 19 reported further delays over the past year. In India itself, five out of the six reactors under construction are behind schedule. Eight nuclear power projects have been under construction globally for a decade or more, of which three have been so for over 30 years.

In the foreword, S. David Freeman, an American energy policy expert who led the Tennessee Valley Authority under U.S. President Jimmy Carter, writes that the debate regarding the value of nuclear energy “is over”. “The most decisive part of this report is the final section — Nuclear Power vs Renewable Energy Development. It reveals that since 1997, worldwide, renewable energy has produced four times as many new kilowatt-hours of electricity than nuclear power,” he writes, concluding, “The world no longer needs to build nuclear power plants to avoid climate change and certainly not to save money.”

Data gathered by the authors shows that global nuclear power generation increased by 1.4% in 2016 due to a 23% increase in China, though the share of nuclear energy in electricity generation stagnated at 10.5%. By comparison, globally, wind power output grew by 16% and solar power by 30%. Wind power increased generation by 132 TWh (terawatt hours) or 3.8 times, and solar power by 77 TWh or 2.2 times more than nuclear power’s 35 TWh respectively. Renewables represented 62% of global power generating capacity additions.

Russia and the U.S. shut down reactors in 2016, while Sweden and South Korea both closed their oldest units in the first half of 2017, the report notes.

Financial crisis

The report also documents the financial crisis plaguing the industry. After the discovery of massive losses over its nuclear construction projects, Toshiba filed for bankruptcy of its U.S. subsidiary Westinghouse, the largest nuclear power builder in history. AREVA has accumulated $12.3 billion in losses over the past six years.

French bailout

The French government has provided a $5.3 billion bailout and continues its break-up strategy, the report notes.

In the chapter on the status of the Fukushima nuclear power project in Japan, six years after the disaster began, the report notes how the total official cost estimate for the catastrophe doubled to $200 billion.

The lead authors of the report are Paris-based energy consultant Mycle Schneider, who advised the European Parliament on energy matters for over 20 years, and Antony Froggart, energy policy consultant and senior researcher at Chatham House, a London-based non-profit organisation working on international affairs.

 

[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
28-October, 2017 16:43 IST
India has vindicated Homi Bhabha's Nuclear peace mission: Dr Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here that India has vindicated the Nuclear Peace Mission of the founding father of India’s Nuclear Energy Programme, Dr Homi J. Bhabha.

Delivering the inaugural address at the 9th Nuclear Energy Conclave yesterday at national capital, Dr Jitendra Singh said, after 60 years, we are now in a position to claim to the whole world, how India’s Nuclear Programme has emerged as a major resource pool for the growing energy needs of the country for its economic growth and development. He said, even though at present almost 60% of power generation in India is from coal and other sources, but in the years to come, green sources of energy, including the nuclear energy will be playing a major contribution.

Congratulating the organizers of the conference for having included in their programme this year focused sessions on application of nuclear energy for medical irradiation in patients and other such situations, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the enormous non-electricity applications of nuclear energy are either not known or they are now put into use. In this context, he cited his personal experience of having promoted the application of nuclear energy in the last one year or so in diverse fields including irradiation of agricultural and food products and non-destructive cleaning of the monumental structures.

Describing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as a man with a natural temper for science, Dr Jitendra Singh said, it was a huge advantage in the last three years to have someone like him at the helm, because this enabled us to give a special impetus to expansion of our Nuclear Energy Programme in the country. For example, he said, it is during his regime that an out-of-box decision was taken to enter into joint ventures with other PSUs for setting up new nuclear installations, which would help the Department of Atomic Energy to overcome the constraints of finances. It was also during these three years that the Atomic Energy programme which was confined mostly to southern States of India was brought to the northern States as well and in this endeavor, an atomic plant is already in the process of being set up in Gorakhpur, Haryana near Delhi, he added.

Not only this, Dr Jitendra Singh said, India is today a frontline nation of the world in its nuclear energy capability which is going to multiply three-times in the years to come. This, he said, is also the most befitting example of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” mission.

Eminent nuclear scientists, Dr Anil Kakodkar, Dr S.K. Sharma and others, also spoke in the inaugural session.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
22-December, 2017 16:12 IST
Year End Review 2017: Department of Atomic Energy

• The Second Unit (1000 MWe) of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) went into commercial operation on March 31, 2017. With this the installed nuclear power capacity has become 6780 MWe.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (Units 1, 2)

• The Government of India has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for taking up construction of 10 indigenous PHWRs of 700 MWe in fleet mode and establishing 2 more reactors at Kudankulam. This initiative is expected to go a long way in reviving our sagging high technology industries by ensuring continuity of orders.

• The construction of KKNPP Units 3&4 has commenced with the First Pour of Concrete on the 29th of June 2017.

• In the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) front, after completion of construction, the commissioning activities are making steady progress while fulfilling all the safety requirements.
  
  

Overall view of PFBR

• India has signed Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with Bangladesh in April this year along with two more complementary Agreements. We are collaborating with our Russian and Bangladeshi partners on establishing Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.

• A 4.6 Meter Ship Borne Terminal (SBT) developed by DAE was integrated on a ship and deployed in Deep Sea. The SBT successfully tracked the ISRO launch Vehicle PSLV-C38 during Cartosat-2E mission on 23rd June, 2017.

Ship Borne Terminal (SBT)

• A 1000m3/ Water Treatment Plant at holy Shiv Ganga Pond of Baba Baidyanath Temple, Deoghar (Jharkhand) has been commissioned and inaugurated on July 9, 2017. The plant is providing water confirming to
  standard for outdoor bathing as per IS 2296.

• In the Cancer care sector, DAE has started major expansion by taking up construction/ up-gradation of 6 additional facilities throughout the country. This will help in doubling number of new patients treated from the present figure of 70,000 in the next 4 - 5 years.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Sangrur

• DAE has developed a low-cost handheld 12-channel Tele-ECG machine which records all 12 ECG channels simultaneously and sends the report generated to the mobile phone of a doctor for advice. The device is suited for diagnostic purposes at remote rural locations, saving crucial time normally required to shift the patient to a diagnostic centre.

12 Channel Tele-ECG Instrument

ATOM launched by M/s Cardea Labs, New Delhi under technology transfer from BARC on 15 August, 2017.

• Recently, a litchi processing plant was established at ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL), Mushahari, Muzaffarpur for extension of shelf-life of this perishable, popular fruit. Demonstration of this technology has enthused the local bodies for taking forward the technology for the farmers in a big way. Extension of shelf life for this product will also encourage exports.
  
  
  
  
  Surface treatment of litchi for longer storage
  
  • 
    In the frontier science area, DAE is establishing a small underground research laboratory in one of the uranium mines for pursuing research on dark matter. This will enthuse scientists from all generations.
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Inauguration of the Underground Science Laboratory on 2nd September, 2017 for conducting a study on Dark Matter
  
  
  
  • The Parliament standing committee on ‘Science & Technology, Environment and Forests’ had arranged the exhibition on “Science and Technology Innovations” at Parliament Annex Building, New Delhi during July 28 to August 12, 2017. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) participated in this event.
  
  
  About 82 MPs from the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, Shri Suresh Prabhu Hon’ble Railway Minister (then), Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Smt Sumitra Mahajan, Smt Renuka Chowdhury, and other dignitaries visited the DAE pavilion and had detailed interactions with the scientists.
  
  
  
  

 

[Hindustani78]

The visitors lauded the department on its achievements and many of the MPs expressed a desire to establish facilities on food processing, sewage treatment, healthcare etc. in their respective constituencies.

Visit of Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker, Loksabha

• There has been all round improvement of DAE’s PSUs and Industrial Units.

The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) achieved second highest production. This could be achieved in spite of many hurdles.

Tmallapalle Mine

Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) has also given highest ever production of fuel elements, zirconium sponge, and other materials.

37 element natural uranium oxide fuel bundle

PFBR fuel sub assembly

36 Element enriched Uranium fuel bundle for BWR

This year the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) has bagged record orders, especially due to election related equipment and fuses for Indian Army. Their turnover was also one of the highest.

Electronic Fuses EVM and VVPAT

Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) has achieved its highest ever sales turnover and has been able to supply the radio-isotopes to every corner of the country.

Ready-to-use Radiopharmaceuticals

Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) has seen a turnaround from major losses to moderate profit during this year. Their turnover has also increased significantly during this period. This happened in spite of various constraints faced by them.

Environment friendly dredging / excavation process

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[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
07-February, 2018 15:51 IST
Excavation clearance granted for Gorakhpur (Haryana) Atomic Power Plant

Land required for setting up of the project is acquired and work of preparation of the site is in final stages, namely, development of infrastructure at site and tendering of equipment and components are at various stages. The excavation clearance for the project is accorded recently by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). This will follow the start of excavation work at the site.

The first phase is comprising of Unit-1 (700 MW) and Unit-2 (700 MW) of Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidhyut Pariyojna (GHAVP). The work on the project will start with the First Pour of Concrete [FPC (the zero date of start of construction)] in the year 2019. The commencement of commercial operation reckoned with the FPC is five and half years for the first unit and followed by the second unit after one year.

The government has accorded financial sanction of Rs 20,594 crore for setting up GHAVP Unit 1&2 (2X700 MW). The cumulative capital expenditure incurred upto December-2017 is Rs 1,031 crore.

The project will bring in large investment in the region and thereby resulting in enhanced economic activity providing opportunities to the locals through direct and indirect employment and businesses. Coupled with this, there will be significant opportunities for self-employment. A large number of people will also get employment with the contractors engaged in implementation of the project, for supply of goods and services thereby generating jobs in the surrounding areas, mainly benefitting the locals.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) pursues welfare activities in and around its Nuclear Power Plants in four major areas. These welfare activities are essentially identified in consultation with the representatives of local population and state machinery based on their identified needs. The proposal, based on the above, are scrutinised with a multi-tier review and approval by the Board, in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. The four major areas are, support to education, including skill development; health and sanitation; infrastructure development and environmental sustainability. Under the neighbourhood welfare programmes at GHAVP, some of the key initiatives taken up by NPCIL are, support to the meritorious students by way of award of scholarship, pedagogical aids, construction of inter-connecting roads within the area, construction of toilets in schools and public places, including some Panchayats and mid-day meal shelters in the schools. Special efforts were also made, based on the need identified by the locals, for construction of cow-sheds and renovation of gaushalas. The welfare programme also focused on providing assistive devices to the specially abled persons in the area. More welfare works are identified as an ongoing exercise in the above referred areas under CSR. These include, augmentation of construction of toilet blocks in schools, providing of equipment for gymnasium in Gorakhpur State Stadium, construction of drinking water tanks, etc.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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Department of Atomic Energy
07-February, 2018 15:49 IST
BARC technology to convert sewage into bio-fertilizer

Conventionally sewage treatment plant treats the sewage and the same is dried. The technology developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) subjects the dried sludge to crushing and exposure to 10 kGy radiation dose. This kills the pathogens in the sludge and makes it safer for use. In the next step, BIO-NPK (Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium) microorganisms are sprayed on to it to make it bio- fertilizer. The use of such bio-fertilizer provides organic carbon and other nutrients to the soil. The process also helps in recycling of the waste material to useful Bio-fertilizer.

(i) A 100 ton/day capacity facility has been constructed at Ahmedabad under

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

(ii) The cold trials have been completed successfully.

(iii) The facility is scheduled to be fully operational soon after radiation source

loading.

(iv) Another similar facility of 100 ton/day capacity will be constructed at Indore

under MoU with BARC.


This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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Department of Atomic Energy
07-February, 2018 15:49 IST
Construction of new PHWR

The Government has in June, 2017 accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for setting up ten indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in Fleet Mode, “at an estimated cost of Rs 1,05,000 crore”. The details of these PHWRs is given below:



State /UT
Location
Project
Capacity(MW)

Madhya Pradesh
Chutka
Chutka-1&2
2 X 700

Karnataka
Kaiga
Kaiga-5&6
2 X 700

Rajasthan
Mahi Banswara
Mahi Banswara- 1 & 2
2 X 700

Haryana
Gorakhpur
GHAVP– 3 & 4
2 X 700

Rajasthan
Mahi Banswara
Mahi Banswara- 3&4
2 X 700

These ten Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) are being built based on indigenous technology and supply of equipment and services by Indian industry.

The total capacity to be added by these ten reactors would be 7000 MW. This capacity is expected to be progressively added by the year 2031. For timely implementation of these projects, the Government has initiated several measures including expediting pre-project activities, obtaining statutory clearances, procurement of long manufacturing cycle equipment, human resource planning etc.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
08-February, 2018 16:24 IST
Execution of Unit I and II of Kudankulam Nuclear

The delays in the completion of Kudankulam Units – 1&2 (2X1000 MW) were mainly due to delays in sequential receipts of equipment from Russian Federation and subsequent local protests at the site. The domino effect of the protests, demobilisation & subsequent remobilisation of resources, various litigations, complying with the directives of the Honorable Court before commissioning of the plant took time. In addition, being the first-of-a-kind reactor in India of large unit size and with many imported equipments/components, the reviews and regulatory clearances also took time.

The KKNPP-1&2 (2X1000 MW) got delayed for the reasons as stated above. This resulted in rescheduling completion of KKNPP-1 from December 2007 to May-2013 and of KKNPP-2 from December-2008 to October 2013. Presently, both the units are in commercial operation and are operating at their rated capacity. They have cumulatively generated about 23122 Million Units of electricity as on January 29, 2018.

This was stated by the The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written replies to questions by Shri Majeed Memon in the Rajya Sabha today.


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Department of Atomic Energy
08-February, 2018 16:23 IST
Nuclear Energy Collaboration With Canada

An agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Canada for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy was signed on 27.06.2010. During the visit of Prime Minister to Canada on 15.04.2015, Government of India entered into an agreement with M/s CAMECO Inc., Canada for supply of Uranium Ore Concentrate during the period 2015-2020.

Nuclear technologies are being developed and applied in the areas of health, including cancer care; agriculture; food preservation; waste management apart from generation of power.



This was stated by the The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written replies to questions by Shri Majeed Memon in the Rajya Sabha today.





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[Hindustani78]

Department of Atomic Energy
23-February, 2018 19:30 IST
Heavy Water Board signed an agreement with M/s Clearsynth, Mumbai for sale of 20 tonnes of Heavy Water in a year

Heavy Water Board, a constituent industrial unit of DAE, signed a collaborative agreement with M/s Clearsynth, Mumbai yesterday for sale of 20 tonnes of Heavy Water in a year for development of deuterium labeled compounds, NMR Solvents, d-labeled Active Pharma Ingredients (APIs). This marks the beginning of an important era in the annals of Indian Nuclear industry leading to societal benefits for the masses. It is worth noting that during the previous years Indian industries have imported deuterated compounds and Heavy Water to the tune of 9 Million USD. This Agreement will initiate import substitution for the deuterated compounds and Heavy Water.

Dr Sekhar Basu, Chairman, AEC emphasized the need of supporting Indian industries towards manufacturing of deuterated compounds to fulfill the mission of 'Make in India' campaign. The advantage of Indian expertise in this field will reach masses through end products developed by Indian Pharmaceutical and other Industries. This is expected to lead towards lots of R&D in the field of development of new deuterated compounds and Active Pharma Ingredients. Dr Basu also advised that the technology development in this field can be taken up by the Indian companies through Technology Transfer & Collaboration Division of BARC by entering into collaborative arrangements on various science and technology products.

The Agreement signing took place in the office of Secretary, DAE at OYC, Mumbai in the presence of Chairman, AEC, Shri M. Inbarasu, Jt. Secretary (I&M), DAE and Dr. U. Kamachi Mudali, Chief Executive & Chairman, Heavy Water Board. The agreement was signed by Shri V.K. Khilnaney, Director (Operation), Heavy Water Board and Shri Vijay Ambati, President & CEO of M/s Clearsynth, Mumbai. Shri S.K. Nayak, Director (Technical), Heavy Water Board and Smt. Annie Thomas, Associate Director (HWM) both from Heavy Water Board, Shri Himanshu Shankar, IFA, Shri Ranajit Kumar, Head, NCPW and Shri S. Bose, were present during this agreement ceremony.

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