Gorakhpur, Haryana set to receive North India’s first Nuclear Power Plant

In its bid to increase India’s nuclear power capacity, the Central Government, through Minister of State, Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, has given the requisite bulk approval for 10 nuclear reactors near the village of Gorakhpur in Haryana. The Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) as it is officially known, is a 2800 megawatt nuclear power plant being built on a 560 hectares (1,400 acres) area west of Gorakhpur in the Fatehabad district of Haryana. The ambitious project will be the first nuclear power plant in North India, and will be built at a cost expected to rise upto ₹20,594 crore.

The nuclear power plant is being built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, and was expected to be complete and fully functional by 2025. This was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing lockdown which clamped down on all human life and nearly all the business as well. The Power Plant is now set to be delivered by 2028, with the first phase of construction adding some 1400 MW of power to the grid. This capacity will be improved upon in the coming years, and taken all the way upto 2800 MWs.

Speaking at the occasion, MoS Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Nuclear Power Plant is essential to PM Modi’s long term nuclear power plans.

“One of the major achievements of the Modi Government would be the installation of nuclear/ atomic energy plants in other parts of the country, which were earlier confined mostly to the southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh or in the west in Maharashtra”

Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS Science & Technology

The Department of Atomic Energy has also been given permission to set up joint ventures with PSUs for resources to open atomic energy plants, having the potential to fulfill India’s energy needs in times to come. Additionally, the Department of Atomic Energy has been granted permission to set up joint ventures with PSUs for resources to open atomic energy plants.