New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) The Government on Thursday highlighted the need to have a national nuclear capacity of approximately 100 gigawatts by 2047.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Several studies on India's energy transition to Net Zero by 2070 have projected the need to have a national nuclear capacity of approximately 100 gigawatts by 2047.”

“Recommendation of these studies are being reviewed for possible future adoption,” he added.

”Presently, a plan to increase the nuclear power capacity to 22480 MW by 2031-32 from the present capacity of 8180 MW is being implemented,” Dr Singh said.

”Nuclear energy is a base load source of energy and does not require additional infrastructure for integration to the grid like that required for intermittent sources (renewables like wind, solar etc.),” he said.

”The effort to enhance the safety and operational performance of existing nuclear power plants by innovations in design, adoption of improved operational and maintenance practices, implementation of upgrades etc. is an ongoing activity in Indian nuclear power plants,” the Minister added.

He also mentioned that the installed nuclear power capacity in the country comprises of 24 reactors with a total capacity of 8180 MW. Of these, presently, one reactor (100 MW) is under extended shutdown and 3 reactors (total 540 MW) are under project mode for upgradation.

Remaining 20 reactors with a total capacity of 7540 MW are presently operating, he added.

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