'10,000 mw of nuclear power production by 2012'

India is poised to produce 10,000 mw of nuclear power by 2012, said Anil Kakodkar, chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.

He was speaking at the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) Day celebrations held in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

"The country's nuclear power programme is moving forward along expected lines. When the nine heavy water reactors being constructed in the country become operational, the total nuclear power production would reach 4,500 mw," he said.

Referring to the role of the Nuclear Fuel Complex in the nuclear power generation, Kakodkar said that the 540-mw unit of the Tarapore Nuclear Power Plant was synchronised in March 2004, seven months ahead of the schedule, just because NFC could supply nuclear fuel bundles much in time.

"India needs to produce 2.7 lakh mw nuclear power by 2050 and naturally this would put more pressure on the Nuclear Fuel Complex," the AEC chairman added.

Lauding NFC for performing well in meeting the nuclear power generation requirements for fuel and other equipment, Kakodkar asked NFC to expand its spectrum of activities.