Gandhinagar: Gujarat is set to expand into nuclear power with state govt and Centre working on a new nuclear power complex at Dhuvaran in Anand district through a 50:50 joint venture, top govt sources said.The proposed project is likely to have an installed capacity of either 4,200 MW or 7,000 MW, with the final configuration still being worked out at the highest level. At an estimated investment of around Rs 35 crore per MW, the project could entail an investment of approximately Rs 1.25 lakh crore to Rs 2.25 lakh crore, potentially making it one of the largest power-sector investments in Gujarat.The project is being planned amid expectations of a sharp rise in Gujarat’s electricity demand, driven by growth in semiconductor manufacturing, green hydrogen, data centres, electric mobility and other energy-intensive industries.“A land parcel of 1,100 hectares is already available for the project. A team from the Union government has already conducted a visit to the site for the nuclear fuel complex that will be set up alongside the project,” a top state government official said.“The state has identified the availability of required land in Khambhat taluka of Anand district for the proposed nuclear power complex at Dhuvaran. Preliminary assessments indicate that the location has strong potential for development of a large-scale nuclear project,” an official said.The proposed Centre-state venture is to be formed between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Gujarat State Electricity Company Ltd (GSECL). “Discussions are underway for establishing a dedicated joint venture company that could develop, construct and operate the civil nuclear power asset,” top sources said.Detailed site-characterisation studies are underway, including assessments of seismology, geotechnical conditions and availability of cooling water. Technology options under consideration include indigenous and foreign reactor designs.“Based on discussions with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Dhuvaran is being examined for deployment of proven indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology, Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) as well as certified and regulated foreign reactor technologies,” officials said.The state govt has constituted a High-Power Committee (HPC) and an executive committee to assess feasibility and provide coordinated policy and administrative support. “Two meetings of the executive committee have already been held to examine and finalize various aspects of the ambitious project,” an official said.If cleared, the Dhuvaran project would add to Gujarat’s existing nuclear portfolio, which includes Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Tapi district with four operational reactors — two 220 MW units and two indigenously developed 700 MW units — for an aggregate installed nuclear capacity of 1,840 MW.
