Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and NTPC joint venture is likely to build two 700 MWe nuclear power plants at a site identified by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the India Energy Congress here on Tuesday, Department of Atomic Energy Secretary Srikumar Banerjee said one of the sites identified by the DAE for 2x700 MW plant would go to the NPCIL-NTPC joint venture company. NPCIL and NTPC had entered into an agreement in February last year to start a joint venture company that will build nuclear power plants.
Mr. Banerjee also deliberated on the advantages of nuclear power in a growing economy in view of the climate change-induced energy scenario.
Officials said the sites in Madhya Pradesh and Haryana could stand allocated to the NPCIL-NTPC joint venture. Under the agreement, the joint venture will have 51:49 shareholding between NPCIL and NTPC.
NPCIL plans to build indigenously developed pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRS) of 700 MW capacity each at four locations across the country. While two plants each are expected to come up at Rawat Bhata in Rajasthan and Kakrapar in Gujarat, plans are afoot to finalise sites in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh for atomic power plants.
R. S. Sharma, Chairman, NTPC, said energy was the prime mover of our economy and key input for economic growth. “Developing countries cannot be denied the right to the rightful use of energy resources available for electricity production and greater responsibility on climate change issues lies on those who are developed,” he added.
NTPC is expected to invest around Rs. 1,000 crore for setting up nuclear power plants of at least 2,000 MW capacity.
