Record n-energy production in 2011-12

Mumbai, April 4 (IANS) The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), which operates 19 nuclear power reactors in the country, has notched the highest-ever energy generation of 32,455 MU during the fiscal ending March 31, 2012, a top official said here Wednesday.

This is an increase of 23 percent over the previous high of 26,473 MU in the previous year, NPCIL Chairman & Managing Director S. K. Jain said.

"The year 2011-12 has seen a robust growth for NPCIL. The turnover has increased from Rs.6,000 crore the previous year (2010-11) to Rs.7,500 crore," Jain said.

While the overall average availability factor of the nuclear power plants remained high at 91 percent during the last year, the average capacity factor for nine (out of 19 in operation), using imported Uranium recorded an all-time high at 97 percent, he added.

"The overall average capacity factor for NPCIL reactors stood at 79 percent against the targeted 66 percent," Jain said.

Safety continued to be the top priority at all nuclear power reactors with no untoward incidents while achieving excellent operational performance.

The safety review, post-Fukushima for the existing operating nuclear power reactors and those under construction, found them to be safe from extreme natural events like earthquakes or tsunamis, he said.

"While the safety performance of Indian nuclear power reactors continued to be impeccable over 350 reactor-years of operation, additional safety measures have been implemented to enhance safety to a higher level," Jain noted.