2020 was a year with surprises, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic shocked the world in the first half. The Government of India had imposed lockdown on 24th March 2020 to curtail the spread of virus. However, nuclear facilities in India were unaffected by COVID – 19 and were running smoothly. New significant developments took place with an aim of achieving the target of 22,480 MW by 2030-31. Currently, installed capacity of nuclear power in the country is 6780 MW from all operational plants. The country aims to supply 25% of electricity from nuclear power by 2050. The contribution of nuclear power in India is relatively small, but the nuclear manufacturing industry has regularly upgraded its quality standards to meet global benchmarks.
India is planning to construct 10 indigenously made pressurized heavy water reactors in fleet mode. The ten planned reactors are units 5&6 at the Kaiga Nuclear power plant (NPP) in Karnataka state, units 1&2 at the Chutka NPP in Madhya Pradesh, units 1-4 at Mahi Banswara NPP in Rajasthan and units 1&2 at Gorakhpur NPP in Haryana state. Three 700MWe PHWRs are already under construction: Kakrapar NPP unit 4 in Gujarat, and Rajasthan NPP unit 7&8 in Rajasthan. Kakrapar unit 3 has been connected to the grid.
The report summarizes the key industry updates and developments in the Indian nuclear energy market in 2020. This report will hopefully provide readers with vital insights which shall help to develop key sustainable strategies for doing business in the Indian nuclear market.
