Dr Pradeep Panigrahy raises the sustainable growth of nuclear energy in the country in Lok Sabha

Dr Pradeep Panigrahy, MP, Berhampur, Odisha raised the question at the Lok Sabha on what details of measures taken/being taken by the Government to enhance the safety and efficiency of nuclear power plants ensuring the sustainable growth of nuclear energy in the country?

The Minister Of State For Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions And Prime Minister’s Office (Dr. Jitendra Singh) answered Highest priority is accorded to safety in all aspects of nuclear power viz. siting, design, construction, commissioning, and operation. Nuclear power plants are designed adopting safety principles of redundancy, diversity and provide fail-safe design features following a defence-in-depth approach. The operations are performed adopting well laid out procedures by highly qualified, trained and licensed personnel. A multi-tier safety review mechanism within Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) by the regulatory authority (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board- AERB) is in place. Based on these reviews and operating experience feedback, necessary upgrades are carried out and the nuclear power plants are maintained at state-of-the-art in terms of safety. Major Renovation of reactors like Enmasse Coolant Channel Replacement (EMCCR), Enmasse Feeder Replacement (EMFR), Enmasse Boiler Hairpin Replacement (EMBHR) etc. are also undertaken to enhance the safety and life of the reactors. The standardisation and improvement in design has resulted in operation of reactors at high Availability and Plant Load Factors.