<p>Construction of Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd's (NPCIL) Kakrapara plant's fourth unit, scheduled to start commercial generation this year, has not been completed and is running more than a year late, a government memo showed.</p>.<p>"The Unit #4 is under construction and would reach completion by March, 2024," a power ministry memo dated May 10 seen by Reuters on Tuesday quoted Bhuwan Chandra Pathak, chairman of state-run NPCIL, as saying.</p>.<p>The 700 MW unit in western Gujarat state had been scheduled to start commercial operation this fiscal year ending March 2023, according to a 2022 power ministry report. The delay could add to strain on some old coal-fired utilities and potentially delay their retirement.</p>.<p>The federal power ministry and NPCIL did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.</p>.<p>The Kakrapara setback is negative for India's efforts to keep carbon dioxide emissions in check, as solar power cannot address rising night-time electricity demand due to higher air-conditioning use.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-aims-to-cut-power-output-from-at-least-81-coal-fired-plants-over-4-years-1113774.html" target="_blank">India aims to cut power output from at least 81 coal-fired plants over 4 years</a></strong></p>.<p>Coal-fired power plants have cranked up output to the highest levels in years, resulting in more emissions, to address higher night-time demand and due to a slowdown in the addition of new round-the-clock power sources including nuclear.</p>.<p>Nuclear power contributes barely 3 per cent of India's electricity capacity and the sector has been hobbled by lack of foreign investment and opposition from critics over safety issues.</p>.<p>The heavy water reactors in the third and fourth units of the Kakrapara plant were developed by scientists working for the Indian government.</p>.<p>The third unit of the Kakrapara plant, connected to the grid in January, would be able to produce at full capacity only by October/November 2022 as "design validation was in progress" and due to "safety issues," Pathak told the power ministry.</p>.<p>"NPCIL was advised to expeditiously complete the commissioning while keeping into account all the safety considerations," the power ministry said in the memo.</p>.<p>Power ministry data showed India's installed capacity of nuclear power plants has remained stagnant for at least five years.</p>.<p>Coal-fired capacity has grown 4 per cent and hydro by 5 per cent in the last five years, while additions of renewable energy doubled amid a push for cleaner air. </p>
<p>Construction of Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd's (NPCIL) Kakrapara plant's fourth unit, scheduled to start commercial generation this year, has not been completed and is running more than a year late, a government memo showed.</p>.<p>"The Unit #4 is under construction and would reach completion by March, 2024," a power ministry memo dated May 10 seen by Reuters on Tuesday quoted Bhuwan Chandra Pathak, chairman of state-run NPCIL, as saying.</p>.<p>The 700 MW unit in western Gujarat state had been scheduled to start commercial operation this fiscal year ending March 2023, according to a 2022 power ministry report. The delay could add to strain on some old coal-fired utilities and potentially delay their retirement.</p>.<p>The federal power ministry and NPCIL did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.</p>.<p>The Kakrapara setback is negative for India's efforts to keep carbon dioxide emissions in check, as solar power cannot address rising night-time electricity demand due to higher air-conditioning use.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-aims-to-cut-power-output-from-at-least-81-coal-fired-plants-over-4-years-1113774.html" target="_blank">India aims to cut power output from at least 81 coal-fired plants over 4 years</a></strong></p>.<p>Coal-fired power plants have cranked up output to the highest levels in years, resulting in more emissions, to address higher night-time demand and due to a slowdown in the addition of new round-the-clock power sources including nuclear.</p>.<p>Nuclear power contributes barely 3 per cent of India's electricity capacity and the sector has been hobbled by lack of foreign investment and opposition from critics over safety issues.</p>.<p>The heavy water reactors in the third and fourth units of the Kakrapara plant were developed by scientists working for the Indian government.</p>.<p>The third unit of the Kakrapara plant, connected to the grid in January, would be able to produce at full capacity only by October/November 2022 as "design validation was in progress" and due to "safety issues," Pathak told the power ministry.</p>.<p>"NPCIL was advised to expeditiously complete the commissioning while keeping into account all the safety considerations," the power ministry said in the memo.</p>.<p>Power ministry data showed India's installed capacity of nuclear power plants has remained stagnant for at least five years.</p>.<p>Coal-fired capacity has grown 4 per cent and hydro by 5 per cent in the last five years, while additions of renewable energy doubled amid a push for cleaner air. </p>