Is the Government Targeting 100 GW of Nuclear Power Capacity by 2047 to Boost Energy Security?

New Delhi, April 28 (NationPress) Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Monday that the government aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 as part of the 'Viksit Bharat' initiative, which will greatly enhance India’s long-term energy security and assist in meeting clean energy objectives.

During a session of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power, the minister noted that India currently has 25 nuclear reactors operating at seven sites, with a total installed capacity of 8,880 MW, which accounts for roughly 3 percent of the country's electricity supply. There are also eight reactors with a capacity of 6,600 MW under construction, alongside another 10 reactors totaling 7,000 MW that are in the preliminary stages.

In discussions regarding the "Roadmap for Development of Nuclear Power Generation", the Minister reaffirmed India’s pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2070, underscoring the importance of increasing the proportion of power generated from non-fossil sources.

As the power sector is responsible for more than 40 percent of global energy-related emissions, nuclear energy—being a stable, non-fossil power source—will play a crucial role in India’s path to sustainable development, he stated.

Furthermore, the Minister pointed out that nuclear energy has applications beyond electricity generation, such as in hydrogen production, desalination, process steam, and space heating, thus aiding India’s broader energy transition objectives.

He also discussed the primary challenges and necessary strategic actions for expanding nuclear energy, including revisions to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, to allow greater involvement from both private and public sectors.

Measures to speed up projects include facilitating quicker land acquisition through brownfield expansions, repurposing defunct thermal sites, and streamlining regulatory approvals to shorten project timelines.

Additionally, the introduction of tax incentives, green power classifications, and long-term financing are under consideration to ensure competitive nuclear tariffs, alongside diversifying technology options through competitive bidding and promoting indigenous manufacturing under the 'Make in India' initiative.

The minister also mentioned that the government is focused on securing a variety of uranium fuel sources and expanding the vendor network for specialized nuclear equipment.

Moreover, efforts are being made to enhance skilled workforce capacity by improving nuclear education and training infrastructure.

Members of Parliament actively engaged in the discussions, providing valuable suggestions for accelerating nuclear power implementation. They emphasized the need for prompt project execution, cultivating a positive public narrative, ensuring technology diversification, and creating robust vendor and workforce ecosystems, according to an official statement.

In conclusion, Manohar Lal assured the MPs that the Ministry of Power would collaborate closely with the Department of Atomic Energy, state governments, industries, and other stakeholders to hasten the rollout of nuclear power projects, ensuring a clean, secure, and sustainable energy future for India.