Gandhinagar, Gujarat : Preparations for another big leap in the power generation sector have begun in Gujarat. Sources have said that work is progressing between the Central and State Governments to set up a new nuclear power complex at Dhuvaran in Anand district near Ahmedabad. The proposed project will have a 50:50 partnership between the Central Government and the Gujarat Government. The capacity of this project is likely to be from 4,200 MW to 7,000 MW and its final configuration is being decided at a high level.

Investment up to ₹2.25 lakh crore, capacity up to 7,000 MW

The proposed Dhuvaran Nuclear Power Project could be one of the largest investments in Gujarat’s energy sector so far. It is estimated that considering an investment of about ₹35 crore per MW, the investment for a 4,200 MW project could be about ₹1.25 lakh crore, while for a 7,000 MW capacity, the investment could be up to ₹2.25 lakh crore. Discussions are underway to form a joint venture company between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) for this project. This company could take on the responsibility of development, construction and operation of the project.

1,100 hectares of land available in Dhuvaran

It has been reported that about 1,100 hectares of land is available for the project at Dhuvaran in Khambhat taluka of Anand district. A preliminary site survey has also been conducted for setting up a large-scale nuclear power complex. Sources said that a central government team visited the site and examined the feasibility of various infrastructure requirements, including the proposed nuclear fuel complex. Currently, a detailed study of the site is being carried out to assess issues such as seismic factors, geological conditions and availability of water required for cooling.

Which technology will be used ? Examining options

For the Dhuvaran project, indigenous as well as foreign nuclear reactor technology options are being considered. Based on discussions with the Department of Atomic Energy, the feasibility of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and other certified and regulated reactor designs are being examined. The state government has constituted a High-Power Committee and an Executive Committee to provide policy and administrative support to the project. Two meetings of the Executive Committee have also been held to review various issues related to the project.

Major increase in Gujarat’s nuclear capacity after Kakrapar

Energy-based industries including semiconductor manufacturing, data centers, green hydrogen, electric mobility are expanding in Gujarat. Due to which, the demand for electricity is likely to increase significantly in the coming time. The Dhuvaran project can be important to meet this increasing demand. Currently, a total of four reactors are operating at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Tapi district, including two 220 MW and two indigenous reactors of 700 MW. Its total installed capacity is 1,840 MW. If the Dhuvaran project is approved and implemented as per the proposed capacity, then there can be a historic increase in Gujarat’s nuclear energy capacity.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)