Government Press Release | India
There have been sporadic protests by a section of the locals against setting up of the nuclear power plant at Jaitapur. Groups ideologically opposed to nuclear power have also protested against the project. The protests have mainly been on account of issues related to Rehabilitation, apprehensions about the safety of the plant and loss of traditional means of livelihood.
The current status of Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP) is as follows:
In the aftermath of the Fukushima accident in 2011, Germany had shut down 8 nuclear power reactors that had completed their economic life and announced a plan for a gradual phase-out of the remaining 9 by 2022.
Switzerland had also announced a gradual phase-out of nuclear power. These decisions are country-specific and depend on factors like the country's nuclear and energy policies, requirements, availability of various energy options, market conditions etc. However, most countries with nuclear power programmes are continuing with their programmes.
At present, there are 453 reactors in operation (including 7 in Germany) and 57 reactors under construction in the world. Several new entrants like Bangladesh, UAE, Belarus, Turkey have embarked on nuclear power. It may be also mentioned that Japan has also started operating eight reactors which were shut down following the accident.
Nuclear power is clean and carbon-free energy with huge potential that can provide the country long-term energy security in a sustainable manner. Considering the huge and growing electricity demand of the country, nuclear power projects including Jaitapur will, therefore, be pursued.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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