Why India Needs More Power For AI, Chips And Data Centres, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• India aims to expand its nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatt-electric (GWe) by 2047 to meet rising electricity demand from sectors like AI, semiconductors, and data centers.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of commissioning five new nuclear reactors within the current decade.
• The SHANTI Act, passed last year, facilitates wider private participation in India's civil nuclear power sector.
• The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) released draft rules under the SHANTI Act to establish a regulatory framework for private involvement, licensing, and safety.
• India currently operates 25 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 8.7 GWe, with 10 more reactors under construction.

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Detailed Insights:

• The increased energy demand from emerging technologies necessitates a significant boost in baseload power generation.
• India is pursuing a two-pronged strategy involving both large-capacity reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for faster deployment.
• SMRs are considered crucial for industrial decarbonization and providing flexible baseload power to balance renewable energy fluctuations.
• India's indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) remain central to the country's nuclear expansion plans.
• International collaborations are increasingly focused on SMRs due to the high project costs associated with large light water reactors.
• The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing indigenous SMRs, including the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200).
• India aims to have at least five indigenously designed and operational SMRs by 2033.
• The Nuclear Energy Mission has been announced with a budget of ₹20,000 crore for SMR research, design, development, and deployment.
• Studies are underway to repurpose old thermal power plant sites for nuclear projects, potentially favoring SMRs due to their smaller footprint.

Key Concepts Involved:

• SHANTI Act: Legislation aimed at enabling broader private sector participation and investment in India's civil nuclear energy program.
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Advanced nuclear reactors with a power output typically less than 300 MWe, designed for factory fabrication and modular construction.
• Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs): A type of nuclear reactor that uses heavy water as both a coolant and moderator, forming the backbone of India's indigenous nuclear program.
• Baseload Power: The minimum amount of electric power delivered or required over a given period, typically supplied by power plants that operate continuously.
• Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme: India's long-term strategy to achieve energy independence using its vast thorium reserves, involving PHWRs, fast breeder reactors, and thorium-based reactors.