Over 4,000 tonnes uranium imported for n-reactors since 2008

Annual fuel requirement of seven Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors under IAEA Plan is 315 MT at 85% plant load factor

Around 4,458 metric tonnes of uranium has been imported to fuel nuclear power reactors in the country since 2008, the government today said.

Of the 4,458 MT, India ordered 2,058 MT of uranium from M/s Tvel Corporation of Russia, followed by 2100 MT from M/s NAC Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan from 2008 till date, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Department of Atomic Energy, said in a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

India ordered 300 MT between in 2008-09 and 2009-10, from Areva France.

The annual fuel requirement of seven operating Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) under the IAEA Safeguard Separation Plan is around 315 MT for operation at 85 per cent plant load factor.

"The fuel supply for Tarapur Atomic Power Station, unit 1 and 2 and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant unit 1 and 2 are covered under life time fuel supply commitment included in the agreement with the suppliers of the reactors," Singh said.