DIRECT ANSWER: India is aggressively pursuing the expansion of its nuclear power capacity, aiming for over 22,480 MW by 2031, primarily utilizing indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) built in 'fleet mode'. This roadmap is central to strengthening national energy security, providing reliable base load power, and achieving decarbonization targets, but its success hinges on overcoming significant financial constraints, land acquisition challenges, and ensuring a resilient domestic supply chain for specialized components and uranium fuel security.
Why in News?
The Government of India recently reaffirmed its commitment to boosting the nuclear sector by approving the construction of ten indigenous 700 MW PHWRs in 'fleet mode'. This strategic decision aims to accelerate project delivery, standardize construction, and enhance the low share of nuclear power (currently about 3% of the total installed capacity) in India’s growing energy mix, making the expansion roadmap a critical policy discussion.
What is the Concept / Issue?
The concept addresses India’s long-term strategy for energy independence, rooted in Homi Bhabha's Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme. The current roadmap focuses on the rapid, standardized deployment of indigenous reactors (Stage 1) while simultaneously developing Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs - Stage 2). The issue is the accelerated capacity expansion—from the current installed capacity of approximately 7,480 MW to over 22,480 MW by 2031—and the related challenges in infrastructure, financing, and regulatory environment required to sustain this ambitious growth trajectory.
Why is this Issue Important?
- Strategic: Nuclear power offers reliable, high-density, carbon-free base load power, essential for grid stability, unlike intermittent renewables. It reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, crucial for geopolitical energy autonomy.
- Economic: Significant capital investment fuels the domestic manufacturing ecosystem (Atmanirbhar Bharat), providing highly skilled jobs and technological advancement, while long-term operational costs remain competitive compared to thermal sources.
- Geopolitical/Social: Nuclear expansion is vital for meeting India's Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Socially, it involves complex issues of land acquisition, waste management, and public confidence regarding safety standards and liability frameworks.
Key Sectors / Dimensions Involved
- Dimension 1 (Technology and R&D): Focus on the success of PHWR technology, the indigenous development of FBRs (at Kalpakkam), and long-term viability of the Thorium-based fuel cycle (Stage 3).
- Dimension 2 (Policy and Regulation): Role of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), and the impact of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010 on attracting private and foreign investment.
- Dimension 3 (Infrastructure and Supply Chain): Strengthening the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) execution capabilities, ensuring domestic capacity to manufacture heavy components (like steam generators and pressure vessels), and securing stable uranium supply.
What are the Challenges?
- Financial Constraints and Project Delays: Nuclear projects are highly capital-intensive with long gestation periods, creating pressure on NPCIL’s financing capabilities and often leading to time and cost overruns.
- Uranium and Fuel Security: Despite expanding domestic mining, India still relies on imports for a significant portion of its uranium fuel. Geopolitical instability can affect supply, making the transition to the Thorium cycle crucial but distant.
- Land Acquisition and Public Acceptance: Securing large tracts of land, particularly for coastal sites (hosting large foreign reactors), faces stiff resistance due to fears over safety, displacement, and environmental impact (e.g., Kudankulam protests).
- Civil Liability Concerns: The stringent supplier liability provisions under the CLND Act continue to deter large international reactor vendors and domestic private sector participation in the core nuclear supply chain.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims Focus:
- Structure and mandate of DAE, AERB, and NPCIL.
- Location of major operating (Tarapur, Kakrapar) and planned nuclear power plants.
- Technical specifications: PHWRs, Light Water Reactors (LWRs), and the sequence of the Three-Stage Programme (Uranium-PHWRs; Plutonium-FBRs; Thorium-AHWRs).
Mains Angle:
GS Paper III – Science and Technology (Nuclear energy policy, indigenization, waste management), Energy Security, Infrastructure development, Environmental conservation and pollution control.
How UPSC May Ask This Topic:
Critically analyze India’s ambitious nuclear energy expansion roadmap (target 2031) in the context of energy security and climate goals. Discuss the socio-economic and technological hurdles that challenge the rapid scaling of nuclear capacity and suggest necessary policy reforms. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
What is the Way Forward?
- Financing Innovation and Partnerships: Explore alternative financial models, including joint ventures with other PSUs (like NTPC or IOCL) or state governments, to distribute the high capital risk and accelerate resource mobilization for new projects.
- Fleet Mode Acceleration and Standardization: Prioritize the rapid, concurrent construction of standardized indigenous PHWRs to achieve economies of scale, reduce construction time, and establish a specialized, steady workforce.
- Regulatory and Liability Clarity: Address the concerns regarding the CLND Act through clearer regulatory guidelines or insurance pools to restore confidence among foreign suppliers and encourage greater private sector engagement in non-core nuclear activities.
- Enhancing Domestic Fuel Cycle: Invest heavily in expanding domestic uranium mining and exploration capabilities while aggressively pursuing R&D for the transition to the Thorium-based advanced heavy water reactors (AHWR) to ensure long-term, self-sufficient fuel security.