3.5 Impediments to Electricity Generation
93
1.08
2.37
1.23
2.57
1.09
0.72
1.98
0.12
0.77
1.70
3.33
1.75
2.31
3.60
1.88
2.20
0.13
2.06
0.99
0.56
0.28
Fig. 3.20 States producing hydropower (GW) (2017) (Source Central Electricity Authority https://
www.cea.nic.in)
Being a source of clean energy, hydroelectricity, if developed prudently and in
an environmentally friendly manner, can provide multiple benefits such as water
management and flood control, irrigation, and drinking water. In fact, hydropower
generation was given priority over thermal and nuclear during the early period of planning after independence because flowing water is an inexhaustible resource unlike
coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuels which are environmentally unacceptable.
Unfortunately, high cost, long-term debts, and consequent difficulties in financing
medium and large hydro projects has impeded the progress of hydropower generation
in India.
3.5.2 Nuclear
There are 21 nuclear reactors in the country with an installed capacity of 6780
megawatts (2.1% of the total installed capacity) (Fig. 3.21). On average, each reactor
has a capacity of 323 megawatts which cannot be considered satisfactory as compared
to developed nations. Moreover, of the 21 reactors, one is non-functional since 2004
(one unit of Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant, Kota) due to repairs, 13 reactors (installed
capacity 4280 megawatts) use imported fuel and are under IAEA safeguard, and the
rest (installed capacity 2400 megawatts) use domestic fuel. In order to ramp up power
generation, construction of nine more reactors is in progress, and two more reactors
93
1.08
2.37
1.23
2.57
1.09
0.72
1.98
0.12
0.77
1.70
3.33
1.75
2.31
3.60
1.88
2.20
0.13
2.06
0.99
0.56
0.28
Fig. 3.20 States producing hydropower (GW) (2017) (Source Central Electricity Authority https://
www.cea.nic.in)
Being a source of clean energy, hydroelectricity, if developed prudently and in
an environmentally friendly manner, can provide multiple benefits such as water
management and flood control, irrigation, and drinking water. In fact, hydropower
generation was given priority over thermal and nuclear during the early period of planning after independence because flowing water is an inexhaustible resource unlike
coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuels which are environmentally unacceptable.
Unfortunately, high cost, long-term debts, and consequent difficulties in financing
medium and large hydro projects has impeded the progress of hydropower generation
in India.
3.5.2 Nuclear
There are 21 nuclear reactors in the country with an installed capacity of 6780
megawatts (2.1% of the total installed capacity) (Fig. 3.21). On average, each reactor
has a capacity of 323 megawatts which cannot be considered satisfactory as compared
to developed nations. Moreover, of the 21 reactors, one is non-functional since 2004
(one unit of Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant, Kota) due to repairs, 13 reactors (installed
capacity 4280 megawatts) use imported fuel and are under IAEA safeguard, and the
rest (installed capacity 2400 megawatts) use domestic fuel. In order to ramp up power
generation, construction of nine more reactors is in progress, and two more reactors