NTPC identifies 3 locations for nuclear power projects | India News

The public sector powerhouse, NTPC, has earmarked three strategic locations across India for the establishment of nuclear power plants.

NEW DELHI: Public sector NTPC has identified three locations, one each in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha, to set up nuclear power plants as it aims to add 30GW of nuclear capacity across 14 states by 2047.The company has submitted detailed feasibility reports for each site to the Atomic Energy Commission for approval. NTPC is also exploring technology collaborations with global players such as Holtec International and Westinghouse of the US, Rosatom of Russia and EDF of France for pressurised water reactor projects to be deployed at these locations, said an official aware of the development.With an installed power generation capacity of 89GW, including thermal, hydro and renewable capacity, the company is targeting 149GW by 2032 and 244GW by 2037, besides adding significant battery and pumped storage capacity. It has set up NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam Ltd as its wholly owned nuclear subsidiary to foray into nuclear power. Its first nuclear project in Rajasthan’s Mahi Banswara, comprising four 700-MW units, however, is being developed through Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd, a joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India.

The three identified locations, if approved, will have 2-4GW of nuclear capacity each, the official said. NTPC entered into non-disclosure agreements with Rosatom and EDF earlier this year to explore technology collaboration for deploying large pressurised water reactor projects in India.“Technology transfer and localisation will be key factors in finalising the technology. There will be a separate joint venture with a global player for technology and design engineering,” said the official.Fuel availability will also be an important consideration in finalising the technology, the official said, adding that fuel sourcing falls within the domain of the Centre.