The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 1st October 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Having private participation in India’s nuclear energy 

Why in News?

In July 2024, the Government of India, while presenting the Union Budget for FY 2024-25, inter alia, made announcements on the expansion of India’s nuclear energy sector, proposing partnerships with the private sector for research and developing Bharat Small Reactors (BSR), Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR) as well as newer nuclear energy technologies. Presumably, this announcement is aimed at India’s ambitious pursuit of the decarbonisation of energy generation and achieving 500 Gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based energy generation in India by 2030, as pledged at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow, in 2021.

• Nuclear energy is produced by splitting atoms in a reactor. This process heats water, creating steam that turns a turbine to generate electricity.
• When compared to other renewable energysources, nuclear energy is seen as advantageous due to:
  • A smaller land footprint
  • A reduced amount of waste generated
• Among developing countries, India is unique because it has produced electricity using its own nuclear reactors that were developed, tested, and implemented locally.
• India is the third largest producer of electricity in the world, with nuclear energy being the fifth largest source of electricity in the country.
• The potential of nuclear energyin India is significant:
  • India ranks seventh globally in the number of nuclear reactors.
  • There are over 22 nuclear reactors located in 7 power plants throughout the nation.
  • These reactors produce a total of 6780 MW of nuclear power.

• India aims to increase its nuclear power contribution from 3.2% to 5% by 2031. This expansion is crucial for the country's energy transition towards achieving a net zero economy.
• Nuclear Energy Resources in India
  • India has a limited amount of uranium resources but a large supply of thorium.
  • Both uranium and thorium have special characteristics that determine how they are used in nuclear reactors.
  • Unlike uranium, thorium cannot be used as nuclear fuel by itself.
  • India faces difficulties in meeting its increasing energy needs due to its reliance on imports and inconsistent reforms in the energy sector.
  • According to BP's Energy Outlook, India's energy consumption is expected to grow by 156% from 2017 to 2040.
  • In the year 2022-23, India plans to import 100 tonnes of natural uranium, with existing agreements for uranium purchases from Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan.
• Uranium Deposits in India
  • The uranium ore mining and processing industry in India started at Jaduguda in 1968.
    
• The first uranium deposit in India was discovered in 1951 at Jaduguda, located in the Singhbhum Thrust Belt of Jharkhand.
• The active uranium minesin India include:
  • Jaduguda Mine
  • Bhatin Mine
  • Narwapahar Mine
  • Turamdih Mine
• In addition, several uranium occurrences have been found in the Cuddapah basin of Andhra Pradesh.
• The Mahadek basin in Meghalayacontains sandstone-type uranium deposits, including:
  • Domiasiat
  • Wahkhyn
  • Mawsynram
• Other regions in Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh show potential for becoming significant uranium deposits.

Thorium Deposits in India

• India has thorium reserves that are larger compared to many other places in the world.

• Monazite sands are found on the east and west coasts of India, as well as in certain regions of Bihar.
• The concentration of monazite sand is notably higher along the Kerala coast, where it is estimated to contain more than 15,200 tonnes of uranium.
• The primary states that produce monazite include Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Kerala.

Nuclear Power Plants in India

• The operation phase of a nuclear power plant is typically the longest part of its life cycle.
• In India, there are a total of 4 Light Water Reactors (LWRs) and 19 Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).

The first largest indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 in Gujarat began operations at full capacity.

The country is planning to construct 12 new nuclear power reactors by 2024. 

Reactors under IAEA safeguards: India's fourteen nuclear reactors are under IAEA safeguards due to their use of imported fuel.

In 2014, India placed its reactors under IAEA safeguards, granting the international nuclear watchdog access, and showcasing its peaceful nuclear energy intent.

India's Three-stage Nuclear Power Programme

India's three-stage nuclear power programme was formulated by Dr Homi Bhabha in the 1950s to secure the country's long-term energy independence through the use of uranium and thorium reserves found in the monazite sands of the coastal region of South India. India is currently in the second stage of its ambitious nuclear program.

The program's ultimate goal is to make it possible for India to use its thorium reserves to meet the nation's energy needs.

Additionally, NITI Aayog Proposed that the government concentrate on establishing small modular reactors with private investment to address India's energy requirements and replace ageing thermal power plants.

Stage 1: Natural Uranium Fuelled Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)

In the first stage, natural uranium was used as fuel for Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors, which also produced plutonium-239 as a byproduct while generating electricity. The second stage would also utilize the byproduct plutonium-293.

The main reasons for selecting PHWRs for the First Stage of the Indian nuclear power programme in the 1960s were:

• The use of natural uranium oxide as the fuel.
• The best utilisation of mined uranium in energy production.
• The prospect of establishing a completely self-sufficient technology.

Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) Utilizing Plutonium-Based Fuel

• The second phase involves using plutonium-239 to create mixed-oxide fuel, which will be utilized in Fast Breeder Reactors.
• Additionally, thorium will be utilized in the reactor to produce uranium-233 once there is enough plutonium-239 available.
• This uranium is crucial for the third phase of the process.

Stage 3: Advanced Nuclear Power Systems for Utilization of Thorium

• The main aim of stage 3 is to create a long-term nuclear fuel cycle.
• This advanced nuclear system will use a combination of thorium and uranium-233.
• India will make use of its plentiful thorium through a thermal breeder reactor.
• Currently, this stage is still in the research phase.

Institutions of Nuclear Energy in India

•  Important energy policy organizations in India, like NITI Aayog and the Central Electricity Authority, are focusing more on nuclear power to help the country reach its clean energy goals. 
• Atomic Energy Commission (AEC): This is the main body governing the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), which is directly overseen by the Prime Minister. The AEC is responsible for: 
  • Organizing research in atomic science across India.
  • Training nuclear scientists in the country.
  • Promoting nuclear research in its own laboratories.
• Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): Established in 1983, this board operates under the AEC. Its main role is to: 
  • Ensure nuclear safety regulations are created and followed.
• Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL): NPCIL is the owner and operator of all nuclear power plants in India, except for the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). Its responsibilities include: 
  • Designing nuclear power reactors.
  • Constructing and commissioning nuclear plants.
  • Operating nuclear power reactors.
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre: This center works under the DAE and focuses on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It manages: 
  • All aspects of nuclear power production.

Advantages of Nuclear Energy in India

• Rising Energy Needs: India has a growing demand for energy, which requires the best use of all available energy sources. Nuclear power has a lot of potential to ensure energy security for the long term.
• Reliable Energy Source: Nuclear power can reliably meet India’s power needs, unlike wind and solar power, which are not always available.
• Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Nuclear power plants do not emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases or pollutants. This can help reduce India’s share of global GHG emissions, which is currently around 6.55%, with over two-thirds coming from the energy sector.
• Sustainable Development: India plans to increase its nuclear energy contribution from 3.2% to 5% by 2031. This increase in nuclear energy will support India's goal of achieving a more sustainable and economically stable future.
• Consistent Power Supply: Unlike renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which depend on weather and require large areas of land, nuclear energy provides a steady and reliable supply of power while needing less land.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy in India

• Limited private sector involvement: In India, private companies can participate in the technology and construction of nuclear plants, but the operation and management of fuel are still controlled by the public sector.
• Nuclear liability concerns: The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 in India has raised concerns among foreign companies. This law, which is in addition to the International Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC), is seen as too harsh, as it could force these companies to pay large sums, potentially in the hundreds of millions of dollars, if a nuclear accident occurs.
• Foreign investment limitations: Although India has made civil nuclear agreements with several nations such as the U.S., France, and Japan, the only foreign involvement in nuclear projects in India comes from Russia with the Kudankulam plant, which was established before this liability law was enacted.
• Challenges for the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has to deal with many difficulties when it comes to overseeing various nuclear and radiation facilities. They must meet modern safety standards and ensure the security of a large number of radioactive materials. 
• Uranium shortages and import reliance: India faces a shortage of uranium, which means it often has to import this vital resource. This reliance on imports leads to uncertainties in fuel supply and places India's energy security in the hands of foreign suppliers. 

PYQs on Nuclear Energy

Question 1: To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium? (UPSC Prelims 2012)
1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium.
2. Based on the unit mass of mined minerals, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium.
3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)

Question 2: With growing scarcity of fossil fuels, atomic energy is gaining more and more significance in India. Discuss the availability of raw material required for “the generation of atomic energy in India and in the world. (UPSC Mains 2013)

Question 3: Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of the fast breeder reactor programme in India? (UPSC Mains 2017)

Question 4: With growing energy needs should India keep on extending its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (UPSC Mains 2018)