Nuclear power is saving 41 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually: Jitendra Singh

Nuclear power currently provides 3% of electricity generation in India and the current policy targets a three-fold rise in nuclear-installed capacity by 2032.

New Delhi: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday said that presently (2020-21) nuclear power is saving 41 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, compared to the emissions that would be generated by equivalent electricity generation from coal-based thermal power plants.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha Dr. Jitendra Singh said that as part of Low Carbon Development of Electricity Systems consistent with Enhanced Development benefits, the Government is exploring a significantly greater role for nuclear power.

He added that nuclear power currently provides 3% of electricity generation. Sufficient production and share of nuclear power is essential for ensuring the country’s energy security. Current policy targets a three-fold rise in nuclear-installed capacity by 2032.

The Minister highlighted that nuclear energy can be considered for delivering base load power free of intermittency in place of energy from fossil fuels.
” DAE considers nuclear energy as a significant component of its non-fossil fuel power generation capacity and will continue to pursue research and innovation in this sector” he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh further pointed out that the present installed nuclear power capacity is set to increase from 6780 MW to 22480 MW by 2031 on progressive completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction.

He added that in the next three years, capacity addition of 5300 MW is planned on completion of KAPP 3&4 (2X700 MW), RAPP 7&8 (2X700 MW), KKNPP 3&4 (2X1000 MW) and PFBR (500 MW).

As per the World Nuclear Association, Nuclear power plants produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, and over the course of its life-cycle, nuclear produces about the same amount of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions per unit of electricity as wind, and one-third of the emissions per unit of electricity when compared with solar.

Experts have concluded that in order to achieve the deep decarbonization required to keep the average rise in global temperatures to below 1.5°C, combating climate change would be much harder, without an increased role for nuclear.

The industry’s vision for the future of electricity supply – sets a target to build an additional 1000 GWe of nuclear reactors across the world so that nuclear power would provide 25% of electricit