Reflecting on the current state of India’s nuclear energy programme, discuss the challenges it faces in achieving its objectives and how it can adapt to remain a key component of India’s energy strategy.

Why?

On March 4, core-loading process of the indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) took place at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

Approach:  

• Introduce by outlining India’s commitment to nuclear energy since the 1950s, driven by Bhabha’s three-stage plan utilizing thorium.
• In the main body discuss the current Status by highlighting stages of nuclear development, including PHWR usage, PFBR progress for breeder technology, thorium utilization research, and international collaborations. Next address the challenges like uranium resource limitations, infrastructure delays, funding issues, regulatory challenges, manpower needs, environmental concerns, and public perception. Next address the measures needed to adapt like streamlining approvals, enhancing regulatory frameworks, securing financing, capacity building, public communication, waste management, exploring SMRs, and integrating renewables.
• Conclude by stressing the importance of adapting the programme for India’s energy security and sustainable development.

Answer:

India’s nuclear energy programme is aimed at meeting the country’s energy needs through the development of nuclear power technology. Initiated in the early 1950s, it encompasses the exploration and production of uranium, construction of nuclear reactors, and development of advanced nuclear power technologies. The programme is structured around a three-stage plan designed by Homi J. Bhabha to utilize India’s vast thorium reserves ultimately.

Current Status of India’s Nuclear Energy Programme:

• Stage I of the Nuclear Programme: Utilizes pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) to produce electricity and plutonium-239 as a byproduct.
  • The Tarapur Atomic Power Station, India’s first nuclear power plant, signifies the initiation of India’s nuclear energy generation.
• Progress Towards Stage II: Focus on breeder technology to utilize plutonium-239 in combination with depleted uranium.
  • The PFBR at Kalpakkam is expected to breed more fissile material than it consumes.
• Exploration of Thorium Utilization: Advancing to Stage III involves leveraging India’s vast thorium reserves for sustained nuclear fuel supply.
  • Research on Thorium High-Temperature Reactors (THTR).
• International Collaborations: Engagements with global nuclear powers for technology sharing and fuel supply arrangements.
  • The U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement facilitated access to advanced technology and fuel.

Challenges Faced by the Nuclear Programme:

• Limited Domestic Resources: India has limited domestic resources of uranium, which is the fuel for nuclear reactors.
  • Forced the country to import uranium requirements, thus making the programme vulnerable to global market conditions and political tensions.
• Infrastructure Development Delays: Protracted construction and commissioning timelines for new reactors.
  • The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant faced several delays before becoming operational.
• Funding Constraints: High capital investment required for nuclear projects and financial overruns.
  • The PFBR project significantly exceeded initial estimates.
• Regulatory Hurdles: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board’s (AERB) relationship with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) raises questions about independence.
• Human Resource Challenges: Need for skilled manpower for advanced nuclear technology operations and safety management has been noted as a bottleneck for expansion.
• Addressing Environmental and Disposal Concerns: of nuclear waste and finding sustainable disposal solutions remains an ongoing challenge.
• Public Perception and Opposition: Nuclear safety fears and opposition from local communities near proposed plant sites.
  • Incidents like Fukushima and the anti-nuclear movements in Jaitapur and Kudankulam.

Measures Needed for Nuclear Programme to Remain a Key Component of India’s Energy Strategy:

• Streamlining Regulatory Approvals: Simplifying procedures to minimize delays in commissioning projects.
  • Establishing a single-window clearance system for all nuclear power-related approvals.
• Strengthening Regulatory Framework: by establising an independent atomic regulator for improved oversight and accountability.
• Secure Financing Models: Exploring public-private partnerships and international financing options.
  • Leveraging the Green Climate Fund.
• Capacity Building: Strengthening education and training programs to develop a skilled workforce.
  • Expansion of nuclear engineering programs at leading technical institutes like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
• Enhanced Public Communication: Addressing safety concerns and demonstrating the benefits of nuclear energy.
  • Organizing nationwide awareness programs and open days at nuclear facilities to build public trust.
• Sustainable Waste Management: Investing in research for safer, long-term waste disposal technologies.
  • Developing deep geological repositories for the permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste.
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Emphasizing the exploration of SMRs due to their advantages in safety, cost, and siting flexibility compared to traditional reactors.
  • Discussions on international collaboration for technology development for SMRs.
• Leveraging Renewable Integration: Complementing nuclear power with renewables to create a diversified and resilient energy portfolio.
  • Hybrid energy systems combining nuclear, solar, and wind power to enhance grid stability and reduce carbon emissions.

Adapting the nuclear programme can ensure its vital role in India’s energy future. This will not only help in achieving the objectives of the nuclear programme but also significantly contribute to the country’s energy security and climate change mitigation efforts.

‘+1’ value addition:

• As of April 2023, India has 22 operational nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 6,780 MW.
• Nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity for India which contributes about 3% of the total electricity generation in the country.

In 2017, the government gave simultaneous approval for 11 indigenous pressurised heavy water reactors with a total capacity of 7,000 MegaWatts. Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) is the India’s first 700 MWe unit, and the biggest indigenously developed variant of the PHWR.