A high-level meeting to review the 100-day Action Plan of the Department of Atomic Energy was held chaired by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy along with senior officials of the department were also present for the review meeting.
Dr. Jitendra singh in that review meeting announced that
“India's nuclear power generation capacity is set to increase by around 70 percent over the next five years”
This was the first Atomic Energy-related review convened by Dr. Jitendra Singh since he reassumed his role as Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, and Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions in the Modi Government 3.0.
In the Review Meeting
Dr. Jitendra Singh, highlighting India’s advancements in nuclear and renewable energy, stated that the installed nuclear capacity of 7.48 GWe is expected to increase to 13.08 GWe by 2029, marking an over 70 percent increase with the addition of seven new reactors. He reviewed the operational projects and outlined directions for future plans.
The minister urged the department to integrate and collaborate to fully harness their potential through capacity building and sharing of knowledge, resources, and expertise. He emphasized the importance of developing indigenous technology and prioritizing energy security.
He noted that the government has permitted joint ventures with public sector units, increased the budget through collaboration, utilized next-generation technologies, and enhanced cooperation.
Addressing the facilitation of research and scaling up activities, he highlighted the implementation of single-point approval to promote ease of science and improve citizens' quality of life through the application of nuclear technology.
Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that the department is effectively designing a 220MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) to incorporate a Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) for dedicated nuclear power generation. He also mentioned that the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is developing a 220 MW Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) utilizing light water reactors by replacing the Calandria with a pressure vessel.
He further informed that BHAVINI, a public sector enterprise, is progressing towards completing the initial fuel loading of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, with its first approach to criticality expected in the coming months. This reactor will be the first fast breeder reactor to generate more fuel than it consumes.
Lastly, He also stressed the importance of focusing on energy security, health and food security, radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear medicine, agriculture, and food preservation. He added that advancements in radiation technology would benefit the economy and society, enhance ease of living, and promote research in basic, applied, and translational sciences using subatomic particles.
(From PIB)
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