Nuclear energy is the fourth largest source of electricity in the country after thermal, hydro and renewable sources. The electricity demand in India has increased rapidly, nearly doubled between 1990 and 2011. There is an acute demand for a reliable power supply source. India has five power/electricity grids – Northern, Noerth-eastern, Eastern, Western and Southern. For a growing country like India, as much investment in grid system as in power plants is necessary.
Currently, India has twenty-one nuclear power plants/ reactors with total capacity of 5,780 MW. India now has total capacity to build completely indigenous PHWR (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors).
The following table gives the details of these nuclear power plants in India along with their host state.
| Power station | State | Type | Units | Total capacity (MW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiga | Karnataka | PHWR(Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor) | 220 x 4 | 880 |
| Kakrapar | Gujarat | PHWR(Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor) | 220 x 2 | 440 |
| Madras | Tamil Nadu | PHWR(Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor) | 220 x 2 | 440 |
| Narora | Uttar Pradesh | PHWR(Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor) | 220 x 2 | 440 |
| Rawatbhata | Rajasthan | PHWR(Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor) | 100 x 1 200 x 1 220 x 4 |
1180 |
| Tarapur | Maharashtra | BWR(Boiling Water Reactor) PHWR(Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor) |
160 x 2 540 x 2 |
1440 |
| Kudankulam | Tamil Nadu | VVER-1000 | 1000 x 1 | 1000 |
| Total | 21 | 5780 |
Nuclear Power Plants in India under Construction:
| Project Name | Capacity (MW) | Expected operation begins |
| Kudankulam Atomic Power Project | 1 x 1000 | Unit 2 – June 2015 |
| Rajasthan Atomic Power Project | 2 x 700 | Unit 7 – Jun-2016 Unit 8 – Dec-2016 |
| Kakrapar Atomic Power Project | 2 x 700 | Unit 3 – Jun-2015 Unit 4 – Dec-2015 |
| Madras Atomic Power Project | 1 x 470 | March 2015 |
There are few planned projects in final stages of approval:
| Power station | Operator | State | Type | Units | Total capacity (Net MW) |
| Gorakhpur | NPCIL | Haryana | PHWR | 630 x 4 | 2,800 |
| Chutka | NPCIL | Madhya Pradesh | PHWR | 630 x 2 | 1,260 |
| Mahi Banswara | NPCIL | Rajasthan | PHWR | 630 x 2 | 1,260 |
| Kaiga | NPCIL | Karnataka | PHWR | 630 x 2 | 1,260 |
| Madras | NPCIL | Tamil Nadu | FBR(Fast breeder reactor) | 470 x 2 | 940 |
| Kudankulam | Tamil Nadu | VVER-1000 | 917 x 2 | 1834 | |
| Jaitapur | Maharashtra | EPR | 1650 x 6 | 9900 | |
| Kovvada | Andhra Pradesh | ESBWR | 1594 x 6 | 9564 | |
| Mithi Virdi (Viradi) | Gujarat | AP1000 | 1100 x 6 | 6600 | |
| Total | 33 | 34498 |
The first stage programs are undertaken by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd(NPCIL), while second stage programs are under Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (Bhavini) for Fast Breeder Reactor.
The Atomic energy from the Nuclear Power Plants is being utilized in following manner by different states.
| Nuclear Power Units | Electricity Supplied to States |
|---|---|
| Tarapur Atomic Power Station 1&2, Tarapur, Maharashtra | Maharashtra and Gujarat. |
| Rajasthan Atomic Power Station 1&2, Rawatbhatta, Rajasthan | Rajasthan |
| Madras Atomic Power Station 1&2, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry. |
| Narora Atomic Power Station 1&2 Narora, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, | J &K, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh |
| Kakrapar Atomic Power Station 1&2, Kakarapar, | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Daman & Diu, Gujarat. |
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We have given this list of Nuclear Power Plants in India for benefit of aspirants of different exams like NDA, CDS, IAS, etc. Especially the exams conducted by UPSC often have questions about location of different Nuclear plants. This short compilation would help in revision of such details which is missed in regular preparation. Please mention any additions in the comments section below.
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