As the indian economy grows rapidly, the demand for electricity and fuel will increase. In such a situation, achieving self-sufficiency in the energy sector is very important. Since india does not have many crude oil resources, it is impossible to avoid importing from abroad. But india can easily achieve self-sufficiency in the electricity sector. In such a situation, the indian government is making efforts to increase electricity production in all sectors, from wind power to nuclear energy. In this, especially nuclear energy, i.e., the nuclear energy sector, has now become an important target for the central government.

In this situation, the central government is studying a plan to convert 10 old and unused thermal power plants into nuclear power plants to increase India's grid power generation to 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047. Currently, India's nuclear power generation capacity is only 8.8 GW. The central government has entered the field with a grand goal of increasing this to 100 GW. The 10 thermal power plants that the central government has selected in the first phase are located in various states. All of these are old or unused thermal power plants. All of these will be examined first, and then the next decisions and steps will be taken.
A key place in this is the Wanakpuri Anil Power Plant in Gujarat, which has seven units of 210 MW capacity each. This has already been examined by a team on behalf of the central government, according to government sources. The project is still in its initial stages. The final decision on converting a thermal power plant into a nuclear power plant will be taken after a review by a special committee of experts, not just from the central government. There are many factors that need to be considered when selecting a nuclear power site. For example, seismic stability, water resources, and proximity to population are important factors.

After this review is completed, a decision will be made on whether small modular reactors (SMRRs) or large-scale reactors will be set up at these 10 selected sites. Many people may have doubts about the safety of nuclear power plants. However, these plants with modern technologies operate with strict safety procedures. Since important factors such as seismicity and water resources are studied in advance, the risk of natural disasters is reduced. Similarly, SMRRs are designed with low risk, and replacing old thermal power plants is safer and less expensive than new construction.
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Sowmiya Sriram

17/07/2025 06:52 AM