DAE's nuclear pivot: Light water push to tap global markets, retain heavy water edge, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is prioritizing the development of an indigenous Light Water Reactor (LWR) with a capacity of 900 MWe.
• The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025 facilitates the import of LWR-based nuclear projects.
• LWRs constitute over 85% of the global civil nuclear reactor capacity.
• India aims to become a major supplier of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) fueled with thorium and low-enriched uranium.

Detailed Insights:

• The push for LWRs is driven by their simpler design, lower construction costs, and higher thermal efficiency compared to PHWRs.
• LWRs use normal water and enriched uranium, while PHWRs utilize heavy water and natural uranium, giving PHWRs fuel flexibility.
• India's expertise in PHWR technology and thorium resources presents an opportunity to become a major supplier of PHWRs to emerging economies.
• The focus on fuel manufacturing and the use of thorium in PHWRs could ease barriers to scaling up nuclear power in India.
• India aims to become a manufacturing hub for nuclear reactors, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with capacities between 30 MWe and 300 MWe.
• Concerns exist that importing LWRs at higher costs could impact indigenous reactor design and increase electricity tariffs.
• The setting up of nuclear reactors at the Jaitapur site in Maharashtra has faced delays due to high tariff concerns.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Light Water Reactor (LWR): A type of nuclear reactor that uses ordinary water as both a coolant and moderator.
• Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR): A nuclear reactor that uses heavy water as a coolant and moderator and can operate on natural uranium.
• Small Modular Reactor (SMR): A nuclear reactor that is smaller in size and capacity compared to traditional reactors, typically ranging from 30 MWe to 300 MWe.