Nuclear power generation rose 4% in FY15

State-run nuclear power giant's net dipped marginally to R 2,201 cr

Nuclear Power Corporation of India's (NPCIL's) power generation rose four per cent to 35,592 million units (MUs) in 2014-15 against 34,228 MUs in 2013-14.

The rise was attributed to increase in the fuel supply. The government-run company says capacity utilisation in August was 78 per cent and is expected to rise in the coming months, as some units were under a planned shutdown.

Kudankulam-I, for instance, has been shut for refuelling since June 24 and is expected to restart generation by the end of this month. Total income rose 2.3 per cent to Rs 9,263 crore; net income was down four per cent to Rs  2,201 crore in 2014-15 from 2013-14.

The board of directors met on Wednesday and recommended a total dividend of Rs 639 crore for 2014-15, as against Rs 690 crore for 2013-14.

N Nagaich, director, told Business Standard the company proposes to launch the construction of  units three and four at Kudankulam of 1,000 Mw   by the end of this financial year. Further, to start construction of 2x700 Mw heavy water reactors at Gorakhpur in Haryana by March. NPCIL is also pursuing pre-project activities for the Chutka site in Madhya Pradesh. Work is also on at Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan and Bhimpur in MP.  Also, pre-project work on reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtra, Chhaya Mithivirdi in Gujarat and Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh.