Over 4000 MT uranium imported for nuclear reactors since 2008

NEW DELHI: Around 4458 metric tonnes of uranium has been imported to fuel nuclear power reactors in the country since 2008, the government today said.

Of the 4458 MT, India ordered 2058 MT of uranium from M/s Tvel Corporation of Russia, followed by 2100 MT from M/s NAC Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan from 2008 till date, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Department of Atomic Energy, said in a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

From M/s Areva France, India has ordered 300 MT from in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

The annual fuel requirement of seven operating Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) under the IAEA Safeguard Separation Plan is around 315 MT for their operation at 85 per cent capacity factor.

"The fuel supply for Tarapur Atomic Power Station, unit 1 and 2 and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant unit 1 and 2 are covered under life time fuel supply commitment included in the agreement with the suppliers of the reactors," Singh said.