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4 September 2024

Nuclear Security Takes Priority Amid India’s Renewed Push for Nuclear Power

Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan

India is witnessing a revival of its nuclear energy ambitions. In June 2024, the government announced plans to increase the country’s nuclear power generation capacity by approximately 70 percent by 2029. Announcing the ambitious target, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh revealed that India will achieve this target by adding seven new reactors and focusing on developing indigenous technology.

These plans received a significant boost last week when India’s second home-built 700 MW pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR), at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat, began operating at full capacity. India is building 14 more such reactors, as it aims to reach an installed capacity of 100 GW by 2047. There are also plans to build 40-50 small modular reactors based on the PHWR technology.

Earlier this year, India also achieved a critical milestone in operating its first indigenous fast breeder reactor (FBR) with 500 MWe capacity at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. FBR technology is enormously beneficial because of its minimum nuclear waste generation, thereby reducing the reliance on large-scale waste repositories. Once commissioned, India will be the second country after Russia to operate a FBR. Additionally, reports suggest that India and Russia are discussing the possibility of building six more nuclear power units in India.

India’s ambitious nuclear energy plans are a key element of its energy security, as it aims to attain the target of net-zero emissions by 2070. India’s expanding nuclear energy program also brings attention to India’s nuclear security policies and regulatory practices, which continue to play a pivotal role in preventing unauthorized access, proliferation, and other security risks.

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