List of Nuclear Power Plants in India 2023
Nuclear Power Plants in India
Nuclear Power Plants in India: The best possible balance between different energy sources is being sought while also pursuing nuclear energy, which is a significant part of the nation’s energy mix. A clean, environmentally beneficial base load source of power, it is accessible around the clock. Additionally, it holds enormous promise for securing the nation’s sustainable long-term energy security. After coal, gas, wind, and hydroelectricity, nuclear power is the fifth-largest source of electricity generation in India.
There are 22 reactors in the nation running above 80% plant load factor as of 2021, with a combined installed capacity of 6780 MWe. There are four light water reactors and eighteen pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) in total (LWRs). Under Homi J. Bhabha’s direction, India’s nuclear energy program was started around the time of independence.
The Mumbai-based Apsara Research Reactor is Asia’s first nuclear power plant. India has a little indigenous uranium deposit; hence the country must import uranium from other nations to fuel its nuclear power industry. Russia has been India’s main source of nuclear fuel since the 1990s.
Nuclear Power Plants in India:
- Nuclear power is one of the most important sources for generating electricity in India. It is the fifth largest source of electricity in India after Thermal (coal), Hydroelectricity (Water), and other renewable sources of electricity like wind solar etc.
- According to 2016 survey, India has 22 Nuclear reactors working at seven locations.
- Having the installed capacity of about 6780 MW and producing a total of 30,292.91 GW/h of electricity.
- Also, 11 more reactors are under construction to generate an additional electricity of about 8,100 MW.
- Responsible for the generation of nuclear power in India has been taken by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
- NPCIL is Managed and controlled by the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.
- Tarapur Nuclear Power Plant is the largest Nuclear Power plant in India.
Important Points about Nuclear Power Plant in India 2022 :
New Projects of Nuclear power plant in India:
The Union Cabinet on May 18, 2017 has taken the proposal of the building of 10 new nuclear power plants to increase the electricity of about 7000MW to India’s nuclear power generation capacity.
India and Russia signed a deal:
India and Russia signed a deal for setting up the last 2 units of Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu)
Points about Nuclear energy and Nuclear Power Plant in India:
- Nuclear fission is the process done by the nuclear reactors to generate the electricity.
- Fission is nothing but the splitting of atoms. From the splitting process, a large amount has been produced. This heat produces the steam, which is used by a turbine generator to generate the electricity.
- It is an important clean energy resource because nuclear power plants do not burn fuel so they do not produce or emit any harmful greenhouse gas.
- 31 countries having nuclear power plants. Mostly they are in South Asia, East Asia Europe, and North America.
- A large amount of electricity produced through nuclear energy in France.
- China is one of the fastest growing nuclear power programs with 28 new reactors under construction.
List of Nuclear Power Plant in India 2023
| Name | Location | Capacity |
| Kakrapar Atomic Power Station – 1993 | Gujarat | 440 |
| (Kalpakkam) Madras Atomic Power Station – 1984 | Tamil Nadu | 440 |
| Narora Atomic Power Station- 1991 | Uttar Pradesh | 440 |
| Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant -2000 | Karnataka | 880 |
| Rajasthan Atomic Power Station – 1973 | Rajasthan | 1,180 |
| Tarapur Atomic Power Station – 1969 | Maharashtra | 1,400 |
| Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant – 2013 | Tamil Nadu | 2,000 |
List of Nuclear Power Plants: Under Construction
The table displays the capacity and operator information for each of India’s nuclear power plants that are currently under construction.
| Name | Location | Capacity |
| Madras (Kalpakkam) | Tamil Nadu | 500 |
| Rajasthan Unit 7 and 8 | Rajasthan | 1,400 |
| Kakrapar Unit 3 and 4 | Gujarat | 1,400 |
| Kudankulam Unit 3 and 4 | Tamil Nadu | 2,000 |
List of Nuclear Power Plants in India: Upcoming Project
| Name | Location | Capacity |
| Tarapur | Maharashtra | 300 |
| Madras | Tamil Nadu | 1,200 |
| Kaiga | Karnataka | 1,400 |
| Chutka | Madhya Pradesh | 1,400 |
| Gorakhpur | Haryana | 2,800 |
| Bhimpur | Madhya Pradesh | 2,800 |
| Mahi Banswara | Rajasthan | 2,800 |
| Haripur | West Bengal | 4,000 |
| Mithi Virdi (Viradi) | Gujarat | 6,000 |
| Kovvada | Andhra Pradesh | 6,600 |
| Jaitapur | Maharashtra | 9,900 |
First Nuclear Power Plant in India
The oldest nuclear facility in India is the Tarapur Nuclear Reactor in Maharashtra, Western India, which started conducting commercial operations in 1969. With two BHWR reactors of 160 MW each and two PHWR reactors of 540 MW making up a total of 1,400 MW, the reactor is now the second most powerful in India.
The two PHWR reactors were added in 2005 and 2006, whereas the two BHWR were part of the initial installation in 1969.
Largest Nuclear Power Plant in India
The largest Nuclear Power Plant in India is the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (also known as Kudankulam NPP or KKNPP), which is located in Kudankulam in the Tirunelveli district of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
How Many Nuclear Power Plants in India?
There are now 22 Nuclear Power Plants in operation in India, with a combined capacity of 6780 MW (As of 2021). Twelve more reactors are being built.
Nuclear Power Plants of India: Future
The majority of India’s nuclear power plants are pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) that were built domestically, while there are two Russian-designed WERs that are now in operation and two more that are being built. India, like other nations with PHWRs, has begun the process of renovating its reactors to enable prolonged operation.
India intends to significantly enhance its nuclear generation. India aims to construct 21 new nuclear power reactors, including 10 PHWRs, with a total combined generating capacity of 15,700 MWe by 2031, according to a January 2019 Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) announcement. In addition to those now under construction, DAE Chairman Kamlesh Vyas stated in October 2019 that 17 further nuclear power reactors are planned.
India should seek to create at least twice as much electricity from nuclear power plants by 2030, according to a recommendation made in March 2020 by the country’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. The group recommended that India use “home-grown” 700 MWe heavy water reactors for its nuclear expansion program for the time being.
Sample Questions on Nuclear Power Plants in India
To understand the importance of the topic Nuclear Power Plants in India for the competitive exams, it is imperative for candidates to know the type of questions asked in the examination based on it.
Hence, for candidates reference, given below are a few sample questions based on the Nuclear Power Stations in India.
Q.1. Where is the largest Nuclear Power Plant in India?
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
Answer (3)
Q.2. When was the first Nuclear Power Plant in India set up?
- 1979
- 1962
- 1966
- 1969
Answer (4)
Q.3. Which is the largest Nuclear Power Plant In India?
- Kakrapar Nuclear power Plant
- Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
- Tarapur Power Station
- Kaiga Nuclear Power Station
Answer (2)
Q.4. The Rajasthan Atomic Power Station is located in which city?
- Jaipur
- Jaisalmer
- Kota
- Rawatbhata
Answer (4)
Q.5. ____ is the oldest or first Nuclear reactor of India. It was designed by BARC- Bhabha Atomic Research Center.
- Vidharbha
- Apsara
- Narora
- Rawatbhata
Answer (2)
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Nuclear Power Plants in India 2023: FAQs
Q.1. How many Nuclear Power Plants are there in India?
Ans. 7 nuclear power stations in India are:
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu.
Tarapur Nuclear Reactor, Maharashtra.
Kalapakkam Nuclear Power Plant, Tamil Nadu.
Narora Nuclear Reactor, Uttar Pradesh.
Q.2. Who controls India’s Nuclear Power Plants?
Ans. Nuclear Power Plant in India is controlled by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL). It is a state-owned corporation which was founded in 1987.
Q.3. What is the importance of Nuclear Power in India?
Ans. India’s Nuclear Power is the fourth-largest source of electricity after the thermal, hydroelectric, and renewable sources of energy. India has 22 nuclear reactors operating in 7 nuclear power plants.
Q.4. What is the purpose of Nuclear Power Plants?
Ans. A nuclear reactor produces and controls the release of energy from splitting the atoms of certain elements. In a nuclear power reactor, the energy released is used as heat to make steam to generate electricity.
