March 7th 2022 India Statement Agenda 3 Nucl Tech Review
Check Against Delivery
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
BOARD OF GOVERNORS’ MEETINGS
(March 7, 2022)
Agenda Item 4: Nuclear Technology Review 2022
Statement by India
Mr. Chairperson,
We associate ourselves with the statement delivered by the distinguished Ambassador of Morocco on behalf of G-77 and China and would like to add a few comments in our national capacity.
Climate change is a key challenge for humanity and nuclear power is and will remain a critical element of the energy mix required for sustainable development. Global energy demand will continue to grow, and in order to ensure sustainable low-carbon energy generation, nuclear power will be important in the growth strategies of many countries. To this end we take note of the projections given by the Agency in the nuclear technology report. India is happy to announce that the first of indigenous 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 was successfully synchronized with the grid during this period. India is happy to note the safe and reliable operation of Nuclear Power Plants all over the world during the COVID 19 pandemic as reported through the Agency’s Nuclear Power Plant Operating Experience Network. Our Nuclear Power Plants have operated optimally, and we have continued to maintain a fleet capacity factor of around 85% during this period.
India is pursuing a low-carbon growth model and is fully committed to the Paris Agreement. Nuclear Power is being promoted as a safe, environmentally benign and economically viable source to meet the increasing electricity needs of the country. Ten (10) new nuclear power reactors with 8000 MWe capacity are under construction. Additionally, the Government has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for ten (10) indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) of 700 MWe each to be set up in fleet mode. On progressive completion of the projects under construction and accorded sanction, Indias nuclear power capacity is expected to reach 22,480 MWe by the year 2031.
Mr. Chairperson,
Operation of our research reactors and production of medical isotopes continued uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe in sharing knowledge and expertise with our partners by participating and contributing to the different technical programmes of the Agency in all areas of nuclear technologies concerning human life, be it energy, health, agriculture or human capital development. Government has announced participation of private sector in the production of medical isotopes in May, 2020 and significant progress has been made towards this.
The National cancer grid of India was established in 2012 with the vision of creating uniform standards of cancer care across India has now grown to a large network of 252 cancer centres and hospitals. We have launched a global cancer care network NCG Vishwam Cancer Care Connect (NCG Vishwam 3C) in 2019. We hope that this network will bring a paradigm shift in cancer care in the form of sharing guidelines for management of common cancer, providing consultations, treatment procedures, sharing online resources, etc. Presently, there are 11 foreign centers that are part of the NCG Vishwam 3C and 8 more have expressed interest in joiningit.
Mr. Chairperson,
The Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP), established by India in 2010, has inked 12 MOUs with various countries including the United States, France, Russia, the UK as well as with the IAEA. Online training and education programmes were conducted during COVID-19 pandemic.
We acknowledge the dynamic role being played by the IAEA in guiding peaceful uses of nuclear energy, ensuring safety and security, and look forward to its continued and vital support for providing a conducive atmosphere for the growth of nuclear science and technology. India stands ready to support the IAEA in these endeavors.
This month, the Permanent Mission of India to the IAEA and the Department of Atomic Energy of India are together conducting a daily worldwide quiz open to nationals of all countries on the diverse applications of nuclear science and technology. This is available on all our social media handles. The objective is to spread information on the benefits of nuclear science and technology among the young. We are thankful to IAEA for supporting this initiative through an inspiring message from DDG Najat Mokhtar.
With these comments, Mr. Chairperson, we take note of the Nuclear Technology Review 2022 as contained in the document GOV/2022/2
Thank You.
