| Centre finalises six 1,000 Mw nuclear power units at Mithivirdi | |
| BS Reporter / Mumbai/ Ahmedabad November 6, 2009, 0:15 IST | |
The proposed nuclear power project in Gujarat has received a major fillip with the Central government finalising Mithivirdi in Bhavnagar for the project involving a whopping investment of Rs. 60,000 crore.
"The 6,000 Mw project will come up in six phases of 1,000 MW each, for which the Cabinet has approved Mithivirdi site," said Bharatsinh Solanki, minister of state for power, government of India.
"Gujarat will see investment inflow of Rs. 60,000 crore when the plant comes up in the state," the minister added. The power plants will use nuclear reactors to be purchased from the United States under the nuclear deal signed by the Central government.
Apart from greenfield nuclear power plant, the state is all set to add more atomic power generation capacity.
"The union government has also approved capacity addition of 1,400 Mw at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station near Surat," Solanki informed.
With international technology being installed at Kakrapar, the government is now expanding its capacity by adding two nuclear reactors of 700 Mw each. Currently, Kakrapar houses two nuclear reactors of 220 Mw. Post expansion, the total capacity of this atomic power station will be 1,840 Mw.
According to sources, the additional capacity of 1,400 Mw is expected to commission in next five years.
The minister also informed that the Central government has been constantly infusing funds to support power sector initiatives in Gujarat.
"Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) have extended financial assistance of Rs. 17,585 crore and Rs. 13,078 crore respectively for various power sector ventures in the state," he added.
The union government is also gearing up to launch energy efficiency campaign in next two year. The scheme will be aimed at saving power by promotion of energy efficient practices. "As part of the campaign, the government has already kicked-off input programme to get views of all the stakeholders. Through energy efficient practices, we will be able to reduce carbon emissions apart from saving crores of rupees," he said.
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