NEW DELHI (Commodity Online): The average power capacity of India's nuclear plants has improved to 78% during 2011-12 (April- October) against 71% in 2010-11, largely due to the increased uranium imports, according to the latest data provided by National Power Corporation of India Ltd.
The imports of uranium is largely from France and Russia and now the possibilities are high of getting yellow cakes from Australia too. The country is going ahead with new projects and also enhancing the already existing plants with better technology and fuel availability.
The advancement in the India's nuclear sector has come at the perfect time as the shortage of coal was creating problems to meet the energy needs of the country.
Many countries put back it nuclear projects after the destruction of Japan’s six-reactor Daichi Fukushima nuclear power complex by an earthquake and tsunami. But the rising BRIC economic superpower, India, has been going along with the proposed project with modifications like improved safety technologies etc.
The opposition against nuclear plants are high but the government feels that it could be manageable. The major protests were seen in Kundankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu and also in against the proposed 9,900 megawatt Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant.
For India, use of nuclear energy is of great importance as it is carbon free(Clean energy and no green house gas emission) and could benefit countries seeking both power expansion and winning plaudits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Currently, there are 20 nuclear reactors being operated by NPCIL which add up 4,780 MW.
India in its 12th five year plan (2012-17), more important would be given to power generation and plans to accelerate the nuclear power generation to 20,000 mega watt by 2020 from the existing 4780MW.
