Dr Jitendra Singh
With increased allocation for research, clear roadmap India is set to substantially increase atomic energy production
The hallmark of this year’s Union budget was the government’s decision to open the nuclear sector to private players. This was possible only because Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes out-of-the-box decisions.
As the world’s fifth-largest economy with a population of over 1.4 billion, India’s thirst for energy grows exponentially each year. India’s electricity demand is projected to triple by 2047, but nearly 70 per cent of power generation still comes from fossil fuels. This paradox defines India’s energy challenge – how to promote rapid economic growth while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions and ensuring energy security. Nuclear power has emerged as a crucial pillar in India’s quest for a sustainable and self-reliant energy future.
Nuclear energy represents one of the most concentrated forms of power generation, where small amounts of fuel can produce enormous quantities of electricity with minimal carbon emissions. France, which generates over 70 per cent of its electricity from nuclear sources, has demonstrated how this technology can form the backbone of a low-carbon energy strategy.
For India, the challenges are multifaceted. The country’s heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels not only strains the economy but also increases vulnerability to global price fluctuations. Simultaneously, as a signatory to international climate agreements, India has committed to reducing its carbon footprint significantly. Unlike intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind, nuclear power provides reliable baseload generation regardless of weather conditions. While hydropower faces seasonal variations and ecological concerns, and coal continues to pose serious environmental challenges, nuclear energy offers a sustainable alternative.
At the heart of India’s nuclear strategy lies the visionary three-stage nuclear programme designed by Homi Bhabha, who envisaged using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It aims to leverage India’s abundant thorium reserves – the world’s largest – to eventually achieve complete energy self-sufficiency, a goal that has gained renewed urgency as the country works toward its net-zero target by 2070. India’s nuclear journey began shortly after Independence with the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission in 1948. In 1956, Asia’s first research reactor, Apsara, was commissioned at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Trombay. These early steps laid the foundation for what would become one of the world’s most comprehensive nuclear programmes.
Today, India’s nuclear landscape has transformed. From a mere 4,780 MW in 2013-14, nuclear capacity has surged by over 70 per cent to reach 8,180 MW, spread across 24 operational reactors. Annual electricity generation from these plants has increased from 34,228 million units in 2013-14 to 47,971 million units in 2023-24. While nuclear power currently contributes approximately 3 per cent of India’s electricity generation, this figure is set to grow substantially with 21 reactors totalling 15,300 MW at various stages of implementation.
The focus has shifted from merely expanding capacity to developing indigenous technology. The successful commissioning of India’s first indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) at Kakrapar, Gujarat in 2023-24 marks a significant milestone in self-reliance. The country has also made strides in nuclear fuel cycle capabilities, with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) achieving critical milestones in 2024, including primary sodium filling and commissioning of sodium pumps. The country has mastered the design and construction of PHWRs. Fast Breeder Reactor technology has moved from the drawing board to reality with the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor nearing completion. This second stage of India’s nuclear programme is crucial as it multiplies fuel utilisation efficiency and prepares the ground for the thorium-based third stage.
A revolutionary development is the focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs). The budget has allocated Rs 20,000 crore for SMR research and development, aiming to develop at least five indigenously designed operational SMRs by 2033. BSRs, essentially 220 MW PHWRs with proven safety and performance records, are being upgraded to reduce land requirements, making them suitable for deployment near industries as captive power plants to aid in decarbonisation efforts.
The government has set a target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, a massive increase from the current 8.18 GW. To achieve this, the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat has been launched, focusing on enhancing domestic capabilities.
International collaborations have been reinvigorated, particularly with Russia, France, and the US. The government has accorded in-principle approval to set up six 1208 MW nuclear power plants in cooperation with the US at Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, a significant development is the partnership between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), forming a joint venture named ASHVINI to develop nuclear power facilities. To facilitate private sector participation, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act are being considered.
Meanwhile, public perception and safety concerns continue to influence nuclear expansion, though India’s safety record is exemplary. In the Department of Atomic Energy, we follow the rule of “safety first, production next”. The radiation levels at Indian nuclear facilities are consistently well below global benchmarks, with Kudankulam plant emissions decreasing from 0.081 microsieverts a decade ago to just 0.002 microsieverts today.
The journey ahead will require balancing ambitious expansion with stringent safety protocols, public acceptance, and financial viability. India’s nuclear programme, in tandem with renewable energy, could reshape the country’s energy landscape.
The author is Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences
courtesy: The Indian Express
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