3 old thermal power sites chosen for new nuclear power projects, Pg17

Key Highlights:

• A government panel has shortlisted three old thermal power plant sites for new nuclear power projects.
• Two sites are suitable for large 700 MWe nuclear reactors, while one is considered for smaller 220 MWe reactors.
• The site selection was conducted by a sub-committee of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in January 2025.
• India aims to increase its civil nuclear power capacity from 8.8 GWe to 100 GWe by 2047.
• The SHANTI Act, 2025, allows private sector involvement in nuclear power operations.

Detailed Insights:

• The repurposing of old thermal power plant sites is driven by India's ageing coal fleet, rising emissions, stringent environmental norms, and existing infrastructure.
• The sub-committee initially shortlisted 28 sites based on the age and operational status of thermal power plants, focusing on units older than 40 years or retired units.
• A 17-point checklist was used for evaluation, considering factors like site location, accessibility, land and water availability, seismotectonics, and population details.
• Land requirement criteria of 340 hectares was prescribed for a nuclear plant comprising two 700 MWe reactor units.
• Exclusion zone requirements, currently a 1 km radius around the reactor site, pose a hurdle, with some sites requiring a reduction to 700 meters to be feasible.
• Repurposed sites may be more suitable for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and the government is considering reducing exclusion zone requirements for future nuclear plants.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Thermal Power Plant: A power plant that uses heat to produce electricity, typically by burning fossil fuels like coal.
• Nuclear Power Plant: A power plant that uses nuclear fission to generate heat, which is then used to produce electricity.
• Exclusion Zone: An area around a nuclear facility where habitation and economic activity are restricted to ensure public safety.