New Delhi: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that 24 nuclear power reactors are currently operational across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka, with a combined capacity of 8,180 MW.

The details of the number of nuclear power plants operational in various States/locations in the country are given below.

‘*’ RAPS-1 (100 MW) is under extended shutdown.

Government has set policy directive to launch Nuclear Energy Mission in view of the country’s energy transition efforts. This mission will focus on Research and Development of new reactors design & technologies; as-well-as large scale deployment of existing /established technology/ design. The same will necessitate participation of private investors and private sector, including manufacturing industries. In FY2024-25, as part of Budget Announcement, policy directive has been set to partner with the private sector for setting up Bharat Small Reactor (BSR), and in pursuance of the same, NPCIL has floated Request-for-proposal to private industries to finance and build small-sized 220 MW-PHWR based NPPs as captive plants for electricity production. BSRs are proposed to be commissioned and operated by NPCIL, but set up with private capital. This is majorly to target a wide array of industries viz., Minerals & Metals, Petrochemical etc., which will help in decarbonisation on Industry Sector. Further, with inclusion of private investment, it is expected that as the plan/roadmap for rapid scale up of nuclear sector in the country is evolved at strategy level, it would send a strong policy signal to the industry (public & private) to participate and plan for capacity/ infrastructure expansion for nuclear related projects and assure them continuity of business, so that they can remain invested for long-term. This is also expected to boost ‘investor’ confidence to make informed decisions in the nuclear and even enable fossil sector businesses to divest into nuclear business, in terms of not only financial investment but also re-train & redeploy experienced manpower from the fossil sector. Making Nuclear Power Projects eligible for Climate Finance will be a big boost, to make progress in this mission.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.