Union Minister Khattar reviews progress of Fatehabad nuclear power project

Time of India

a day ago

Union Power Minister
Manohar Lal Khattar
on Saturday reviewed the progress of the nuclear power project being implemented by
NPCIL
under the Department of Atomic Energy in Haryana's Fatehabad district.
Khattar, along with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, visited the Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) and reviewed the progress of North India's first nuclear power plant.
Once completed, 50 per cent of the electricity generated will be allocated to Haryana.
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Khattar appreciated the efforts of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and reiterated the importance of nuclear power in achieving clean, safe, and reliable energy for the nation's future.
Senior government officials were also present at the event.
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The project involves setting up 4x700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) at a total project cost of Rs 41,594 crore.
The commercial operation is expected to start by March 2031.
"This ambitious project will not only meet the long-term energy needs of Haryana and North India but will also further strengthen India's commitment towards clean and sustainable energy solutions," Khattar said in a post on X in Hindi.
The minister said projects like GHAVP will play a vital role in helping India achieve its net zero emission target by 2070.
"This project is a visionary step towards making India a leader in the field of nuclear energy technology and ensuring energy self-sufficiency under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Khattar said.
Speaking to the media later, Khattar said that unit one and two are now expected to be operational by 2031.
"By 2031, two power units will become operational and in 2032, two more power plants will become operational. These four units will produce 2,800 MW power, out of which Haryana will get 50 per cent of the power and 50 per cent will go to the central pool so that it can be used wherever needed," Khattar said.
Khattar said, "In January 2014, the project was given clearance. Generally, the time period given for setting up nuclear power plants is thirteen to thirteen-and-a-half years, but I was told that there have been some reasons for delay, which include technical and administrative reasons".
Asked about his recent statement that the government is working on a framework to standardise the default temperatures of air conditioners in the range of 20 to 28 degrees Celsius.
He said many feel consumers will benefit from the move and it will also result in power saving and uninterrupted and reliable power supply. Saving power is necessary.
Last year's peak power demand was 250 gigawatt and we have touched 242 gigawatt till June 13.
Meanwhile, Khattar was apprised by the officials of NPCIL's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Nearly Rs 80 crore has been spent on community development activities like the construction of roads, and schools, provision of medical vans, and development of an astro turf hockey ground, an official statement said.
"Atom on Wheels" mobile exhibition van was highlighted as a key outreach initiative to educate and engage the public on nuclear energy and safety.
Meanwhile, according to a Haryana government statement, Chief Minister Saini reviewed the progress of the ongoing construction works at the project site and directed the officers to complete all works as per the prescribed standards at the earliest.
Saini emphasized that nuclear energy is a better source of power generation from an environmental point of view.
According to the statement, in the review meeting, Jivendra Kumar Jain, Project Director of NPCIL, gave a detailed presentation about the project.
The statement said that during the meeting Union Minister Khattar stated that this ambitious project will not only fulfill the long-term energy needs of Haryana but also benefit the entire northern region of the country.
During the review meeting, the Union Minister received detailed information about the ongoing construction works and instructed officers to ensure timely completion in accordance with established safety standards.
He emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about nuclear safety, so that there are no misconceptions among the general public.
He directed officers to engage with residents in nearby areas and inform them about the safety measures in place.
Highlighting the advantages of nuclear energy, Khattar said nuclear power plants are more cost-effective in the long-run and have minimal environmental impact compared to other energy sources.
Khattar instructed the officials concerned that over 20,000 saplings be planted within the nuclear plant premises during the upcoming monsoon season to promote environmental sustainability.
According to the statement, the Union Minister stated that all states have been urged to explore the feasibility of setting up nuclear plants and to ensure that at least one nuclear power plant is established wherever possible.
He also emphasized the need to expand existing nuclear facilities to meet future energy demands.
Khattar stressed that to achieve better outcomes; the construction of the Fatehabad project should be expedited.
He added that any challenges encountered during the process should be promptly communicated to both the Central and State governments for resolution.
After the meeting, Khattar and Saini visited the project site and inspected the ongoing construction work.
The Chief Minister directed officers to not only focus on completing the current phase of construction but also to prepare a roadmap for the timely commencement and completion of the second phase of the project.
On this occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala, Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary, Power, Apoorav Kumar Singh, were also present. PTI