Latest news with #Khattar
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre to help Bihar in setting up nuclear power plant: Khattar
Patna: Union energy minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said the Centre will help Bihar set up a nuclear power plant, announcing a plan to install six small modular reactors across the country, including one in the state. Addressing a press conference in Patna after presiding over the 5th regional conference of energy ministers of the eastern region this afternoon, he said every state has demanded a nuclear power plant. "Work is going on in the country on thermal power, solar, wind power and storage projects. A plan has been made to build at least one nuclear power plant in all the states. Plans have been prepared to meet the power requirements till 2035," he said. Giving the slogan, "Power for all and all times", the Union minister said Bihar had made a demand for nuclear power and that the Centre would help the state. "A demand has also been made for 1000MW power storage in Bihar. Additional 500MW will be supplied to the state in the next six months," he said. CS Amrit Lal Meena had requested the Centre in April to set up a nuclear power plant in Nawada district following the state govt's discussion with NTPC. The state govt would provide water for the project from Phulwaria Dam in the district, he had indicated. Meanwhile, Khattar said India is a power surplus country. "We are now supplying electricity to many countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. India's current power requirement is 242 gigawatts and this requirement is being successfully met," he said. The minister also praised Bihar for its achievements in the power sector. Many things have improved rapidly, he said and praised the success of installing 80 lakh smart meters in Bihar. "This is a record. Bihar was considered backward in the power sector but today it has progressed a lot," he said. Bihar energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said establishment of nuclear power plants in the states is an important step and will contribute to the development of the entire country. "This will not only increase power generation, but also create new employment opportunities. This initiative of the central govt can open doors to new possibilities in the field of energy in Bihar," he said. In the Union Budget 2025-26, Rs 1.5 lakh crore has been allocated in 50-year interest-free loans to support states' capital expenditures, which can help in strengthening the transmission infrastructure, Khattar said, and underscored the importance of cybersecurity in the power sector. He spoke about Islanding Schemes as the effective measures to prevent power outages owing to cyber incidents and enable resilience of grid. He also said that distribution is the most critical link in the power sector value chain, noting that the power sector requires an estimated Rs 42 lakh crore by 2032. Besides Yadav, Shripad Yesso Naik, minister of state for power and renewable energy; Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, deputy CM, Odisha; Sudivya Kumar, UDHD minister, Jharkhand; the Union power secretary, secretaries (power/energy) of participating states/UTs and senior officers attended the conference.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Bihar to get its first nuclear power plant as part of national SMR rollout
Bihar will be among the first six states in India will get its first atomic plant under the country's new Nuclear Energy Mission. On Tuesday, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced a Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-based nuclear power plant in the state following the Centre's approval. The announcement comes ahead of assembly election in Bihar and comes after a meeting of eastern region power ministers, which included representatives from Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He confirmed that the Centre had accepted Bihar's request for a nuclear plant, stating: 'If the Bihar government sets up a nuclear power plant, the Central Government is fully prepared to provide support.' Khattar added that Bihar had formally requested such a facility and the Centre would assist in its establishment. Details regarding the site and scale of the plant are expected to be finalised in the coming stages of project development. Announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 with a Rs 20,000 crore allocation, the Nuclear Energy Mission aims at expanding clean and reliable nuclear power across the country and strengthen regional energy security. 'The government's goal is to set up at least one nuclear power plant in every state to ensure the country's energy security,' the Union Power Minister said adding: 'As the country's growth rate increases, so does electricity demand. Nuclear power is a reliable, sustainable, and long-term energy option.' SMRs are a newer generation of nuclear technology designed to be more flexible and cost-effective than traditional large-scale reactors, experts say. They can be deployed in smaller grids and are considered safer due to their advanced design. Khattar also said that the government has prepared a comprehensive power vision for 2035, covering thermal, solar, wind, storage, and nuclear energy projects. The decision is part of a broader policy effort to diversify India's energy mix and address rising electricity demand with advanced nuclear technology. For Bihar, which has historically struggled with power deficits and infrastructure challenges, the project represents a significant shift. Officials say the plant could help provide a more stable electricity supply and support the state's industrial ambitions. Alongside the nuclear plant, the Centre has also approved a 1,000 MW battery storage capacity project in Bihar, aimed at enhancing grid stability and supporting renewable energy integration. The government will provide viability gap funding of Rs 18 lakh per MW for this initiative. This focus on battery storage comes just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Siwan on June 20, laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Bihar. Union Power Minister Khattar, while making the SMR announcement, also praised the Bihar government for its recent progress in the power sector, noting the installation of eight million smart meters and a significant reduction in technical and commercial losses. 'Bihar was lagging behind in power sector but it has done a considerably good job,' he added. The Union minister further assured that, in recognition of these reforms, the Centre has agreed to supply Bihar with an additional 500 MW of electricity for the next six months to help meet peak summer demand, and that states facing power shortages would be provided adequate supply from the central quota.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Nuclear power plant to be set up in Bihar: Khattar
PATNA: Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday announced a nuclear power plant for Bihar. After presiding over the fifth meeting of energy ministers from the eastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, among others, Khattar said the Centre will provide all necessary help in setting up the nuclear plant. Khattar stated, 'The Bihar government had requested the establishment of a nuclear power plant in the state. The Union government is fully prepared to provide support to the state for the project.' The minister also announced the launch of six small modular reactors (SMRs) across the country, including one in Bihar. Noting the growing power demand in the country, he said, 'We aim to set up a nuclear power plant in every state to ensure the country's energy security.' According to him, a nuclear power plant would provide a stable energy source and boost investment, employment and technological advancement in the region. The minister also agreed to the Bihar government's proposal to provide an additional 500 MW of energy for six months. He said that works were underway on thermal power, solar, wind power and storage across the country. Power vision for 2035 Khattar said works were underway on thermal power, solar, wind power and storage across the nation. He revealed that the govt had prepared a power vision for 2035 and appreciated the progress of Bihar's govt in the power sector.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Centre ready to set up nuclear power plant in Bihar: Manohar Lal Khattar
Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) announced in Patna that the Centre was ready to set up a nuclear power plant in Bihar as part of its plan to establish six Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) across the country. 'If the Bihar government wants to set up a nuclear power plant, the central government is fully prepared to provide support,' assured Mr. Khattar while speaking to media persons. He presided over the fifth meeting of Energy Ministers of eastern States such as Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand and others in Patna on Tuesday. Later, he said, 'While agreeing to the demand of Bihar government to set up a nuclear power plant in the State, we also agreed on a proposal to provide additional 500 MW power to the State for three months.' 'At the meeting we reviewed the power situation in eastern States, their problems and also discussed the vision for power sector in the country till 2035,' said the Union Minister. Mr. Khattar praised the installation of a record number of smart meters in Bihar. 'The State was said to be backward in power sector, but today it has come forward. Today, Bihar has demanded that a nuclear power plant be set up in the State,1 and the central government has agreed to support Bihar in setting up the plant,' asserted the Minister. 'Earlier, the country was known as a power deficit one…in the year 2013-14 there was power deficit of 4.50% in the country, but today we're not only fulfilling our power needs by generating it but also exporting it to the countries such as Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal,' he added. 'The country is becoming self-sufficient in power sector,' asserted Mr. Khattar. The Union Minister further said that in the coming days, India would need more power to meet its growing demand and 'we aim to set up a nuclear power plant in every State to ensure the country's energy security'. If set up, this will be the first nuclear power plant in the State and it is expected to provide 'not only stable energy source but also to boost investment, employment and technological advancement in the region'. This is a historic opportunity for Bihar. With the central government's green signal, a revolutionary shift is expected in the State's energy sector. Now all eyes are on how quickly the Bihar government implements this proposal, the Minister added. Compared to traditional large nuclear reactors, the Small Modular Reactors of nuclear power can be set up in a short duration at a lower cost with enhanced safety. The SMRs are suitable for regions with moderate power demand where setting up large scale nuclear plants may not be feasible.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre to help Bihar in setting up nuclear power plant: Khattar
1 2 Patna: Union energy minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said the Centre will help Bihar set up a nuclear power plant, announcing a plan to install six small modular reactors across the country, including one in the state. Addressing a press conference in Patna after presiding over the 5th regional conference of energy ministers of the eastern region this afternoon, he said every state has demanded a nuclear power plant. "Work is going on in the country on thermal power, solar, wind power and storage projects. A plan has been made to build at least one nuclear power plant in all the states. Plans have been prepared to meet the power requirements till 2035," he said. You Can Also Check: Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna Giving the slogan, "Power for all and all times", the Union minister said Bihar had made a demand for nuclear power and that the Centre would help the state. "A demand has also been made for 1000MW power storage in Bihar. Additional 500MW will be supplied to the state in the next six months," he said. CS Amrit Lal Meena had requested the Centre in April to set up a nuclear power plant in Nawada district following the state govt's discussion with NTPC. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo The state govt would provide water for the project from Phulwaria Dam in the district, he had indicated. Meanwhile, Khattar said India is a power surplus country. "We are now supplying electricity to many countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. India's current power requirement is 242 gigawatts and this requirement is being successfully met," he said. The minister also praised Bihar for its achievements in the power sector. Many things have improved rapidly, he said and praised the success of installing 80 lakh smart meters in Bihar. "This is a record. Bihar was considered backward in the power sector but today it has progressed a lot," he said. Bihar energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said establishment of nuclear power plants in the states is an important step and will contribute to the development of the entire country. "This will not only increase power generation, but also create new employment opportunities. This initiative of the central govt can open doors to new possibilities in the field of energy in Bihar," he said. In the Union Budget 2025-26, Rs 1.5 lakh crore has been allocated in 50-year interest-free loans to support states' capital expenditures, which can help in strengthening the transmission infrastructure, Khattar said, and underscored the importance of cybersecurity in the power sector. He spoke about Islanding Schemes as the effective measures to prevent power outages owing to cyber incidents and enable resilience of grid. He also said that distribution is the most critical link in the power sector value chain, noting that the power sector requires an estimated Rs 42 lakh crore by 2032. Besides Yadav, Shripad Yesso Naik, minister of state for power and renewable energy; Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, deputy CM, Odisha; Sudivya Kumar, UDHD minister, Jharkhand; the Union power secretary, secretaries (power/energy) of participating states/UTs and senior officers attended the conference.
