Nuclear Energy in India: Forest Panel to Review New 2,800 MWe Plant in Rajasthan

India’s Nuclear Expansion: Forest Panel to Review New 2,800 MWe Plant in Rajasthan

Why in News:

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has moved a proposal for setting up a new nuclear power plant in India, specifically a 2,800 MWe capacity nuclear power project in Rajasthan’s Banswara district. This NPCIL proposal is part of the ongoing nuclear energy projects in India and is expected to significantly impact the Rajasthan economy. The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will consider granting permission for diversion of forest land for the project, addressing environmental clearance concerns and potential land use changes.

Project Details:

• Location: Kadukhera village, Banswara district, Rajasthan
• Capacity: 2,800 MWe
• Units: 4 Indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)
• Land Requirement: Over 1,400 hectares (including 939 hectares forest land)

This nuclear power plant in Rajasthan, also known as the Mahi-Banswara Nuclear Power Plant, will significantly contribute to nuclear energy in India. The land acquisition process and forest land utilization will be crucial aspects of the project’s development. The project’s proximity to the Mahi-Bajajsagar reservoir ensures a stable water supply for the power plant model, which is essential for the 2,800 MWe capacity facility.

Significance:

This project is part of India’s long-term vision to enhance clean energy capacity and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, addressing climate change impact. If approved, this will be among India’s largest indigenous nuclear installations using PHWR reactors developed by NPCIL. The nuclear power expansion aligns with India’s energy future 2047 goals and demonstrates the country’s commitment to climate action commitments. According to the Indian energy outlook and World Energy Outlook report, such nuclear energy projects in India are crucial for achieving a balanced energy mix and ensuring competitive tariffs in the power sector.

The development of this nuclear power plant in Rajasthan could potentially elevate the state’s status among the most powerful states in India in terms of energy production. This project, along with other initiatives like the Rajasthan agriculture marketing board and the transport voucher scheme Rajasthan, showcases the state’s commitment to comprehensive development.

Current Status:

Site clearance was already given by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) on May 9, 2024. This AERB approval is a crucial step in the siting consent process. The FAC will now examine land-use change requests and forest clearance issues before construction begins. This environmental clearance process is vital for the project’s progression. Additionally, earthquake monitoring in Rajasthan is being conducted to ensure the safety and stability of the proposed nuclear power plant.

Quick Facts for Exams:

• NPCIL is a public sector undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• India aims to increase nuclear energy capacity from 7 GW to 22 GW by 2031, as part of its nuclear power expansion plans.
• Rajasthan already houses a nuclear power plant in Rawatbhata (Kota district).
• PHWRs use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as moderator and coolant.
• The project is part of India’s fleet mode reactor program, showcasing indigenous nuclear technology.

The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and NPCIL have formed a joint venture called Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI) to explore opportunities in the nuclear power sector.

🇮🇳 Nuclear Power in India: Current Status and Future Outlook

🔹 Operational Nuclear Power Plants (as of May 2025)

India operates 25 nuclear reactors across 8 nuclear power stations, with a combined installed capacity of 8,880 MW. These India’s nuclear reactors are managed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), a public sector enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy. The thermal power plant map of India showcases the distribution of these nuclear facilities alongside other power generation sources.

Key Operational Plants:

• Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), Maharashtra:
• Units 1 & 2: 2 × 160 MW (Boiling Water Reactors)
• Units 3 & 4: 2 × 540 MW (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors)
• Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), Rajasthan:
• Units 1–6: Various capacities totaling 1,180 MW
• Units 7 & 8: Under construction, each 700 MW
• Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), Gujarat:
• Units 1 & 2: 2 × 220 MW
• Units 3 & 4: 2 × 700 MW (commissioned in 2023 and 2024)
• Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), Karnataka:
• Units 1–4: 4 × 220 MW
• Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), Tamil Nadu:
• Units 1 & 2: 2 × 220 MW
• Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Uttar Pradesh:
• Units 1 & 2: 2 × 220 MW
• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), Tamil Nadu:
• Units 1 & 2: 2 × 1,000 MW (VVER-1000 reactors, built with Russian collaboration)

🔹 Nuclear Power Plants Under Construction and Planned

India is actively expanding its nuclear capacity to meet growing energy needs and reduce carbon emissions. Notable nuclear energy projects include:

Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP), Haryana:

• Units 1 & 2: 2 × 700 MW (under construction)
• Units 3 & 4: Planned
• Chutka Nuclear Power Plant, Madhya Pradesh:
• Units 1 & 2: 2 × 700 MW (construction expected to begin by mid-2025)

Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project, Rajasthan:

• Units 1–4: 4 × 700 MW (awaiting forest clearance)
• Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, Maharashtra:
• 6 × 1,730 MW (European Pressurized Reactors)
• A collaboration with France’s EDF; construction expected to commence in late 2025.

Kovvada Nuclear Power Plant, Andhra Pradesh:

6 × 1,208 MW (Light Water Reactors)

Project upgraded and approved in December 2023.

🔹 International Collaborations and Foreign Investments

India has established nuclear agreements with several countries, including:

• Russia: Ongoing collaboration in building VVER reactors at Kudankulam and discussions for additional projects.
• France: Partnership with EDF for the Jaitapur project.
• Other Countries: Agreements with Namibia, Argentina, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, and Sri Lanka.

In a significant policy shift, India is considering allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in its nuclear energy sector:

• FDI Cap: Proposals to permit up to 49% foreign equity in nuclear power plants, with initial allowances up to 26%.
• Private Sector Participation: Indian conglomerates like Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power, and Vedanta are in discussions to invest approximately $26 billion in the nuclear sector. Recent Nayara Energy developments also indicate growing interest in the energy sector.

🔹 India’s Nuclear Energy Goals

• Current Contribution: Nuclear power accounts for approximately 3% of India’s total electricity generation.
• Future Targets: The government aims to expand nuclear capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031 and further to 100 GW by 2047, as part of India’s energy future 2047 vision.

📚 Key Facts for Competitive Exams

• First Nuclear Power Plant: Tarapur Atomic Power Station (commissioned in 1969)
• Largest Nuclear Power Plant: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (2 × 1,000 MW operational; additional units planned)
• Indigenous Reactor Technology: Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) developed by BARC and NPCIL
• Regulatory Authority: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
• Governing Body: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
• ASHVINI Joint Venture: A collaboration between NPCIL and NTPC to explore new opportunities in nuclear power

This comprehensive overview of nuclear energy in India provides essential information for competitive exams and offers insights into the country’s energy landscape and future prospects. It also highlights the role of nuclear power in shaping the economies of states like Rajasthan and contributing to India’s position among the most powerful states in the global energy sector. The development of nuclear power plants, along with initiatives like the Rajasthan agriculture marketing board and the transport voucher scheme Rajasthan, demonstrates the state’s multifaceted approach to progress and development.