What stands out is the target of 20,000 MWe by 2020. This target - once considered tough - has now been pushed up to 30,000 / 40,000 MWe. About double the original target. The target by 2030 has been pitched at 63000 MWe, which is about 35 per cent of the present total power capacity of the country, projecting nuclear power as the largest ingredient in India's power output.

Are the targets achievable? The enlarged 2020 target is achievable, if one takes into account the 30,000 MWe advanced light water reactors planned to be imported from leading nuclear powers in the next decade and a half. Add to that an accelerated indigenous construction of 700 MWe pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs), mapped out by the NPCIL, and the chain of 500 MW Fast Breeders that are to follow the prototype 500 MW FBR - now under construction at Kalpakkam under the aegis of BHAVINI.

These projections pose formidable challenges no doubt - both for the light water reactors to be set up in collaboration with France, Russia, United States and Japan, and in building the chain of indigenous PHWRs and FBRs. It is the capability built by the Indian nuclear establishment over the entire gamut of nuclear technology through five decades - a chain of R&D centres, nuclear infrastructure and 20 operating nuclear power reactors - that gives the promise that the challenges will be met.

The scenario on the ground shows vibrant activity. The NPCIL is pushing ahead with construction of a fresh chain of indigenously built PHWRs. After having upgraded reactor design from 220 MWe to 540 MWe at Tarapur 3 & 4 reactors, the upcoming build up is of 700 MWe reactors.

Construction has been launched of four 700 MWe reactors at two sites where some of the best PHWRs in the world have been built by the Indian nuclear establishment - Kakrapar in Gujarat and Rawatbhata in Rajasthan. Here, construction of Kakrapar 3 and 4 and Rajasthan 7 and 8 has been launched. Together, these four reactors will add 2800 MWe of nuclear power to the present 4780 MWe. Target year of the four reactors: 2015.

Sites have also been cleared for construction of four indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs at Kumharia in Haryana, and two 700 MWe PHWRs at Bargi in Madhya Pradesh. While the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) has approved the two sites and environmental clearance has been forthcoming, Government has still to process the setting up of these reactors for financial allocation. It is likely that construction of the Kumharia power project may be launched in 2012 and reactor construction at Bargi may commence a year later.

As for fast breeders, BHAVINI is planning within the target year 2020, construction of two more 500 MW FBRs, based on experience of the prototype fast breeder at Kalpakkam. In totality, the indigenous programme is sure to add well over 10,000 MWe nuclear capacity to the power grid by 2020. A daunting feat, but one that the Indian nuclear scientists are without doubt capable of achieving.

For inducting the advanced light water reactors from major nuclear powers, NPCIL is in process of setting up five Nuclear Energy Parks, each with the capacity of building upto 10000 MWe power generation. By 2030, about 30 to 40 GWe would be built at these nuclear parks from advanced light water reactors.

These nuclear energy parks are to be at:

• Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, where two Russian VVER reactors, with capacity of 1000 MWe each, are already in an advanced stage of construction. Kudankulam 1 and 2 will be commissioned early next year. “Technical specifications and price negotiations for (Kudankulam) unit 3 and 4 are in the final stages....By December, we will sign a contract with Russia,” says the NPCIL chairperson and MD, Mr S.K. Jain. There is place at Kudankulam for two more pairs of Russian VVERs, taking the total capacity of Russian VVERs to 6000 MWe.
• Jaitapur in Maharashtra: Preliminary work at this nuclear park is likely to commence shortly, meant for French company Areva's EPR reactors (European Pressurized Water Reactors), each reactor generating 1600 MWe capacity. Environmental approval has been given for the proposed nuclear units. For the present, negotiations with Areva are focused on construction of two EPR reactors, capable of generating 3200 MWe. Environmental approval has been given for the proposed nuclear units.
• Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh - to host US technology reactors, possibly GE-Hitachi ABWR or ESBWR boiling water reactors. These are among the most advanced 1400 MWe reactors. NPCIL has initiated pre-project work here; and environmental clearance for nuclear power generation has been given.
• Mithi Virdi (or Chayamithi Virdi) in Gujarat : to host US technology (possibly Westinghouse AP1000 reactors). Here too pre-project activities have been initiated, and environmental clearance for nuclear power generation obtained.
• Haripur in West Bengal: to host overflow of Russian VVER-1200 MWe units. There is however resistance from local political parties and an agitation of sorts is putting in doubt the future of this nuclear park.

After a break of three decades, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) has displayed keenness for nuclear technology cooperation with India. Besides interaction on PHWR technology - Canada and India hold this in common - Canada has also held preliminary discussions regarding sale of two ACR-1000 reactors of pressurized heavy water design.

In August 2009, NPCIL signed agreements with Korea Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) to study the prospects of building Korean APR-1400 reactors in India. A nuclear cooperation agreement between India and South Korea has however yet to be signed.

As things stand, discussions between India's nuclear establishment for advanced light water reactors are at varying stages with Russia, France, US, Japan and others, such as South Korea and Canada. Russia and France are in the forefront, with US technology leaders, GE-Hitachi and Westinghouse close on their heels. Hectic and eventful negotiations are billed in 2010 and early next year, to give final shape to India's induction of these advanced reactors. These discussions are complex for they will focus not only on price but also design of the reactors in the backdrop of a global surge in nuclear energy and development of advanced reactor designs, with ever-improving safety features.

Meanwhile, two other major developments are to be noted. First, the US and India have agreed on procedures for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel from US technology reactors.

Second, prospects of a massive enlargement of Indian nuclear industry - in private sector mostly but also companies such as BHEL and NTPC in the public sector - to meet the needs of the big thrust in Indian nuclear capacity development are taking shape. Inter-company agreements are being shaped between Indian companies and foreign nuclear giants, opening prospects of Indian private sector participation in the imported reactors in a significant way.

The challenging tasks ahead for India are: First, absorbing the new light water reactor technology that advanced reactors from France, Russia and United States will bring. Second, in giving a big push to indigenously built PHWRs and Fast Breeders. Third, in enlarging India's nuclear industry in a big way - indispensable to meet both indigenous construction as well as the build-up of foreign light water reactors.

Indeed, India's nuclear programme is to be the torch-bearer of Indian advance as a global economic power in the decades ahead. (IPA Service)