India's Largest Nuclear Tender: Rs 28,000 Crore for 4 PHWRs
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
India is set to issue its largest-ever Nuclear Island EPC tender worth over Rs 28,000 crore for four 700 MWe reactors at the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project. This marks a major boost for the country's indigenous nuclear power expansion and self-reliance in nuclear technology.
Background
India has been pursuing an indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) programme. The 700 MWe PHWR is a domestically developed reactor design. The Mahi Banswara project is part of India's plan to increase nuclear power capacity.
Key facts
The tender is for the Nuclear Island Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract.
It covers four 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
The total estimated cost is over Rs 28,000 crore.
The project is located at Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan.
This is India's largest-ever nuclear tender.
The reactors are part of the indigenous PHWR programme.
The tender is expected to be issued soon.
It will significantly boost India's nuclear power capacity.
Prelims pointers
- Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project
- 700 MWe PHWR (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor)
- Nuclear Island EPC tender
- Rs 28,000 crore
- Indigenous nuclear programme
- Rajasthan
Mains angles
- Discuss the significance of indigenous nuclear technology for India's energy security.
- Critically examine the role of nuclear power in India's energy mix and its environmental implications.
- Evaluate the challenges and opportunities in India's nuclear power expansion, including cost, safety, and public acceptance.