NEW DELHI — India is intensifying its drive toward self-sufficiency in atomic energy as a cornerstone of its strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, according to Jairam Ramesh, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The committee has underscored the urgent need for indigenous nuclear technology development to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, enhance energy security, and meet the country’s ambitious climate commitments.
In a statement reported by ANI News, Ramesh emphasized that India’s current nuclear power capacity—approximately 7.5 gigawatts (GW)—falls far short of the scale required to support both economic growth and the transition away from fossil fuels. The committee has recommended a significant expansion of nuclear energy’s role in India’s energy mix, positioning it as a stable, low-carbon alternative to coal and a complement to renewable sources like solar and wind. With coal still accounting for over 70% of India’s electricity generation, the shift toward nuclear power is seen as critical to diversifying the country’s energy portfolio while reducing carbon emissions.
The push for self-reliance aligns with India’s broader Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which aims to reduce import dependencies across strategic sectors. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has been tasked with accelerating the development of indigenous reactor designs, including the domestically engineered Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and the upcoming fleet of 700 MW PHWRs. These reactors are expected to form the backbone of India’s nuclear expansion in the coming decades. Additionally, India is advancing its thorium-based nuclear program, leveraging its vast thorium reserves—estimated at over 360,000 tons—as a long-term alternative to uranium, which the country must largely import.
However, the road to nuclear self-sufficiency is fraught with challenges. Regulatory bottlenecks, public opposition to nuclear projects, and the high capital costs associated with nuclear power plants have historically delayed critical initiatives. The committee has called for streamlining approval processes and increasing public engagement to address safety concerns, which have been a persistent obstacle to projects like the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu. The plant, India’s largest nuclear facility, faced years of delays due to protests over safety and environmental risks, despite assurances from the government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
What Happened
The Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, chaired by Jairam Ramesh, has identified nuclear self-reliance as a key pillar of India’s net-zero strategy. The committee’s recommendations include:
– Expanding nuclear power capacity to reduce reliance on coal and imported uranium.
– Accelerating the development of indigenous reactor designs, including the 700 MW PHWRs.
– Advancing India’s thorium-based nuclear program to leverage domestic reserves.
– Streamlining regulatory processes to expedite project approvals.
– Enhancing public engagement to address safety concerns and build trust in nuclear energy.
The committee’s report comes at a time when India is grappling with rising energy demand, projected to grow by nearly 6% annually over the next decade. With coal remaining the dominant source of electricity, the government faces mounting pressure to diversify its energy mix while ensuring affordability and reliability. Nuclear energy, with its ability to provide baseload power, is increasingly viewed as a viable solution to bridge the gap between renewable energy’s intermittency and the country’s growing electricity needs.
Why It Matters
India’s push for nuclear self-reliance carries significant implications for its energy security, economic growth, and climate commitments. As the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, India has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, a target that requires a dramatic shift away from fossil fuels. Nuclear energy, which produces negligible carbon emissions during operation, could play a pivotal role in this transition. However, its success hinges on India’s ability to overcome long-standing challenges, including financing constraints, regulatory delays, and public skepticism.
The committee’s emphasis on self-reliance also reflects broader geopolitical and economic considerations. India’s current dependence on imported uranium—primarily from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Canada—exposes it to supply chain disruptions and price volatility. By developing indigenous reactor designs and leveraging its thorium reserves, India aims to reduce its vulnerability to external shocks while positioning itself as a leader in advanced nuclear technology. The thorium-based program, in particular, could provide a sustainable long-term solution, given that India holds approximately 25% of the world’s thorium reserves.
Moreover, the expansion of nuclear energy could have ripple effects across India’s economy. The sector has the potential to create high-skilled jobs, drive innovation in related industries, and attract foreign investment. However, the high upfront costs of nuclear projects—often running into billions of dollars—pose a significant barrier, particularly in a country where public finances are already stretched thin. The committee has called for greater collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and private players to mobilize the necessary resources and expertise.
Background and Context
India’s nuclear energy program dates back to the 1950s, when the country established the Atomic Energy Commission under the leadership of Homi Bhabha. The program was initially focused on harnessing nuclear power for civilian use, with the first reactor, Apsara, going critical in 1956. Over the decades, India has developed a robust nuclear infrastructure, including the Tarapur Atomic Power Station, the first commercial nuclear plant in the country, and the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, which was built in collaboration with Russia.
Despite these achievements, India’s nuclear energy sector has faced persistent challenges. Public opposition to nuclear projects, fueled by concerns over safety and environmental risks, has led to delays and cost overruns. The 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan further heightened apprehensions, prompting stricter regulatory scrutiny and demands for greater transparency. The Kudankulam plant, for instance, faced prolonged protests from local communities, who cited fears of radiation leaks and inadequate emergency preparedness. The government eventually addressed these concerns through public consultations and safety assurances, but the episode underscored the need for better communication and community engagement.
Another major hurdle has been India’s limited access to uranium, a consequence of its long-standing exclusion from the global nuclear trade due to its non-signatory status to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This isolation was partially lifted in 2008, when the India-United States Civil Nuclear Agreement paved the way for civilian nuclear cooperation with other countries. However, India’s nuclear program remains largely self-contained, with the country developing its own reactor designs and fuel cycle technologies.
The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, launched in 2020, has given fresh impetus to India’s nuclear ambitions. The program aims to reduce import dependencies across critical sectors, including defense, energy, and technology. In the nuclear domain, this has translated into a renewed focus on indigenous reactor designs, such as the 700 MW PHWRs, which are being developed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). The first of these reactors, Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Unit-3 in Gujarat, achieved criticality in 2020, marking a significant milestone in India’s nuclear self-reliance journey.
India’s thorium-based nuclear program, often referred to as the “third stage” of its nuclear energy roadmap, represents a long-term vision for sustainable energy. Thorium, which is more abundant in India than uranium, offers several advantages, including lower waste generation and reduced proliferation risks. However, the technology required to harness thorium is still in the developmental stage, with the DAE working on prototypes like the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR). If successful, the thorium program could position India as a global leader in next-generation nuclear technology.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
While the Parliamentary Committee’s recommendations have been welcomed by proponents of nuclear energy, they have also sparked debate over the feasibility and desirability of expanding India’s nuclear capacity. Critics argue that nuclear power is too expensive and slow to deploy compared to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which have seen dramatic cost reductions in recent years. According to a 2023 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in India has fallen to as low as $0.038 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), making it one of the cheapest sources of power in the country. In contrast, the LCOE for nuclear power in India is estimated to range between $0.06 and $0.12 per kWh, depending on the project.
Safety concerns also remain a contentious issue. While the Indian government and the IAEA have repeatedly assured the public of the safety of nuclear plants, incidents like the 2011 Fukushima disaster and the 1986 Chernobyl accident continue to fuel apprehensions. Environmental groups, such as Greenpeace India, have argued that the risks of nuclear accidents, radioactive waste, and proliferation outweigh the benefits, particularly in a densely populated country like India. They advocate for a greater focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency measures instead.
Another point of contention is the role of private players in India’s nuclear sector. Currently, nuclear power generation is dominated by state-owned entities like NPCIL and the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI). The government has indicated a willingness to allow private investment in nuclear projects, but regulatory and liability concerns have deterred potential investors. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which holds suppliers liable for accidents, has been a major sticking point, with foreign companies reluctant to enter the Indian market under such terms.
There is also uncertainty surrounding the timeline for India’s thorium-based nuclear program. While the DAE has made progress in developing thorium-based technologies, commercial deployment is still years, if not decades, away. The AHWR, which is designed to use thorium as fuel, has faced delays due to technical challenges and funding constraints. Some experts have questioned whether the thorium program is a realistic near-term solution or a distraction from more immediate priorities, such as scaling up renewable energy and modernizing the grid.
What to Watch Next
The success of India’s nuclear self-reliance push will depend on several key factors in the coming years:
1. Regulatory Reforms: The government’s ability to streamline approval processes and address public concerns over safety will be critical to accelerating nuclear projects. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which oversees nuclear safety in India, has faced criticism for its perceived lack of independence and transparency. Reforms to strengthen the AERB’s autonomy and improve its public engagement could help build trust in nuclear energy.
2. Financing and Investment: Mobilizing the necessary capital for nuclear projects will require innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships and international collaborations. The government may need to revisit liability laws to attract foreign investment, while also ensuring that safety and environmental standards are not compromised.
3. Technological Advancements: The development of indigenous reactor designs, particularly the 700 MW PHWRs and thorium-based technologies, will be closely watched. The performance of the Kakrapar Unit-3 reactor, which is currently undergoing trials, will serve as a litmus test for India’s nuclear self-reliance capabilities.
4. Public Engagement: Addressing safety concerns and building public support for nuclear energy will be essential to avoiding project delays. The government’s approach to community engagement, particularly in regions hosting nuclear plants, will be a key indicator of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
5. Integration with Renewables: As India scales up its renewable energy capacity, the role of nuclear power in the broader energy mix will need to be carefully calibrated. Nuclear energy’s ability to provide baseload power could complement the intermittency of solar and wind, but its high costs and long lead times may limit its competitiveness.
6. Geopolitical Dynamics: India’s nuclear ambitions are also influenced by its relationships with key partners like Russia, the United States, and France
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Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India Technology — source.
