• In-principle approval has been accorded to a site in Maharashtra’s Jaitapur for setting up six nuclear power reactors of 1,650 MW each in technical cooperation with France.

• Jaitapur site is situated in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. It is proposed to have 6x1650 MWe LWR types of nuclear power plants at Jaitapur Site.

• This would make it the largest nuclear power generating site in the country with a total capacity of 9,900 MW, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.  

• Currently, techno-commercial discussions to arrive at the project proposal with France are in progress.

• The present installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 6,780 MW and the share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country is about 3.1 per cent in the year 2020-21.

Progress in Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project

• The government first accorded its sanction in October 2005 to set up a nuclear power plant in Jaitapur. The Site Selection Committee recommended setting up of a nuclear power plant at Jaitapur, based on the suitability of meeting criteria.

• A comprehensive rehabilitation package including compensation for acquired land and other benefits for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) was signed between Maharashtra government and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) in 2010.

• Environmental Clearance and CRZ clearance were obtained for Jaitapur Nuclear Power Park (JNPP) from the environment ministry in 2010.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited

• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is a public sector enterprise under the administrative control of the department of atomic energy (DAE). 

• The company was registered as a Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 1956 in September 1987 with the objectives of operating atomic power plants and implementing atomic power projects for generation of electricity in pursuance of the schemes and programmes of the government under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. 

• NPCIL also has equity participation in BHAVINI, another PSU of the department of atomic energy, which implements the Fast Breeder Reactors programme in the country.

• NPCIL is responsible for design, construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power reactors. 

• It is a profit making and dividend paying company with the highest level of credit rating (AAA rating by CRISIL and CARE). 

• NPCIL is presently operating 22 commercial nuclear power reactors.

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