The Centre has given in-principle approval for six new reactors at Kovvada nuclear plant in Andhra Pradesh. The overall estimated investments in Kovvada project would be as high as two lakh crore.
Centre has given in-principle approval for setting up six reactors of 1,208 MW each at Kovvada nuclear power plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam.
Replying to a question by MP Narasimha Rao in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, MoS Jitendra Singh said the cost and investment details would emerge on the finalisation of the project proposal and administrative approval and financial sanction by the government.
Investment in similar ongoing projects furnished by the ministry shows that the overall estimated investments in Kovvada nuclear power project would be as high as two lakh crore.
As far as employment is concerned, a large number of contract manpower would be required and the employment potential during construction would be high.
“A large employment potential would be generated with the contractors/vendors and from the business opportunities that would open up in due course,” MoS Jitendra Singh said.
The ministry stated that the employment potential during construction will be for 8,000 persons at the peak stage. On becoming operational, each of the twin unit stations is expected to generate employment (direct and indirect) for about 2,000 persons.
The minister further stated that there are 22 operational nuclear power plants in the country with combined power generation capacity of 6,780 MW, eleven (11) nuclear power reactors under construction / commissioning at various stages with a combined capacity of 4,600 MW and ten (10) reactors with a total capacity of 7,000 MW that have been accorded administrative approval and financial sanction by the central government to be set up in fleet mode.
MP Narasimha Rao said, “Kovvada nuclear power plant would be the largest nuclear power plant in the country and would have a power generation capacity of 7,248 MW which is more than the combined power generation capacity of 6,780 MW of 22 operational nuclear power plants in the country.”
“This project would have a huge positive impact on Andhra Pradesh’s economy and will create huge employment opportunities in the backward North Andhra region. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanctioning such a massive project and his government’s efforts for faster execution of the project,” he added.
Source: India Today