‘Safety first, production next’ formula for nuclear power: Jitendra Singh

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh on Thursday assured the Rajya Sabha that safety first, production next remains the guiding principle of India’s atomic energy sector, as he addressed concerns surrounding the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

During Question Hour, AIADMK MP M Thambidurai raised questions over project delays, citing safety concerns at Kudankulam , and sought clarity on the distribution of electricity generated by the plant. Responding to these issues, Singh underlined that there has never been any mishap at the facility and said India’s nuclear installations operate under strict regulatory oversight.

Explaining the allocation mechanism, the minister said electricity is shared through a fixed power-sharing formula , under which 50 per cent to the host state , 35 per cent to neighbouring states , and 15 per cent to the national grid ensures equitable distribution while meeting national energy needs.

Addressing persistent apprehensions, Singh said several allegations stem from extraneous and political reasons rather than scientific rationale. He dismissed claims that spent nuclear fuel from other reactors would be stored at Kudankulam, calling them unscientific and misleading, and reiterated that all nuclear operations strictly comply with established safety protocols.

Providing broader context, the minister noted that Kudankulam Units 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 1,000 MW, are fully operational, while four additional units of similar capacity are under construction. Once completed, the project is expected to reach a total capacity of 6,000 MW by 2027, significantly strengthening India’s clean energy basket and long-term power security.