The state-run Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) on Friday said there would not be any change in the design of its proposed 10,000-Mw power project at Jaitapur in Maharashtra.
It added there was no move to replace the two evolutionary pressurised reactors (EPRs) of 1,650 Mw each initially and later four reactors of the same capacity from French energy major Areva, which is supplying the reactors as part of a deal between the two entities. It, however, said it was open to modifying or improving the design once the details pertaining to the Fukushima plant disaster were available.
“The objective of improvements in design is to enhance safety by employing the latest state-of-the-art features. EPRs are evolved from the French N4 (in operation at Chhoz and Civaux 1 & 2) and German KONVOI reactors (In operation at Neckarwestheim, Isar and Emsland) which have demonstrated excellent performance. The design of EPRs have used the operational feedback of French and other pressured water reactors (PWRs) in operation and incorporated advanced safety features,” said Shashikant Dharne, Associate Director.
Another NPC official, who did not want to be quoted, said EPRs were not experimental reactors or reactors with radial or evolutionary design, which are yet to be tested, but of a design evolved from reactors with a proven record.
Dharne and Jaitapur project director C B Jain allayed fears about an adverse impact of radiation from the Jaitapur plant on the environment including crops, and vegetation.
He said the inherent safety features of nuclear power plants and engineered safety systems were in line with the philosophy of defence, assuring the highest level of safety. The radiation from nuclear plants to the environment is so little that it is only a mere fraction of the natural background radiation present everywhere — cosmic radiation, radiation from soil and rocks, and even from the bricks and concrete in every home. Nuclear power in India has an enviable track record of safety in over 326 reactor years of operation.
Meanwhile, NPC has upgraded the operations of the plant's information system to keep an eye on the developments at the Fukushima plant.