The Government of Andhra Pradesh on 22 December 2016 allotted land for the construction of nuclear power plant at Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh.

In this regard, the Government Order 1179 was issued giving advance possession of land under its control to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

The GO facilitates the NPCIL to take possession of 1473 acres of government land and pay for it as per the value fixed by the Revenue Department.

About Kovvada N-Plant

• The nuclear power plant will be set up at Kovvada in Ranasthalam block of the coastal district of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh.

• In 2009, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) of the Union Government gave an in-principle approval to the project.

• The ambitious project will be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 60000 crore.

• The 6600 MW project will be executed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Russia is expected to join the NPCIL in design and implementation of the project.

• The project constitutes setting up of nuclear power plants, establishing a township and rehabilitating the displaced families.

• The 5 villages located in the Project Affected Zone are Ramachandrapuram, Gudem, Kotapalem, Tekkali and Jeeru Kovvada.

• The rehabilitation of people in the project affected zone is a complex issue before the government as the people who would be displaced are dependent on agriculture and fishing.

Nuclear energy in India

• The Kovvada project is a part of the government’s efforts to promote clean and renewable energy.

• It helps the government to accomplish its mandate under the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).

• As per the INDCs submitted by India to UNFCCC, about 40% cumulative installed electric power will be achieved by non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

• India will achieve this target with the help of transfer of technology and low-cost international finance.

• At present, there are 21 operational nuclear reactors in India with an installed capacity of 6780 MW.