New Delhi: The Indo-US nuclear deal has led to additional generation capacity of 1520 MW nuclear power from imported fuel for the country’s reactors, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. “Currently, of the 4680 MW capacity in commercial operation, 1840 MW is generated by using imported fuel. With availability of imported fuel, the fuel demand-supply gap is also reduced, thus making it possible to start commercial operation of three reactors namely Rajasthan Atomic Power Stations units 5 and 6 (2 x 220 MW) and Kaiga unit 4 (220 MW) in Karnataka, which led to additional nuclear power generation in the country,” Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Department of Atomic Energy, said.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha by BJP MP Chintaman Vanga, he said prior to the fruition of international cooperation, only capacity of 320 MW from Tarapur Atomic Power Stations units one and two was fuelled by imported fuel. “Thus, an additional generation capacity amounting to 1520 MW has become available consequent to the international cooperation,” Singh said. The conclusion of international agreements in 2008 has enabled import of fuel for additional nuclear power reactors placed under IAEA safeguards. Domestic production of uranium is insufficient for the existing reactors, which is why India has to import fuel.

Singh said India has entered into agreements/MOUs in atomic energy sector with USA, France,Russia, Mongolia, Namibia, Argentina, UK, Canada, South Korea, Kazakhstan and Czech Republic. “Negotiations with Australia, Japan and Sri Lanka are in process,” the Minister said. The government response comes amidst growing criticism that India has not been taking advantage of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal signed between the two countries in 2008, a landmark agreement that helped it seek waiver from the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) to engage in nuclear trade and import much required fuel.