PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ENHANCING NUCLEAR ENERGY GENERATION

Key Highlights:

• The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025 has been enacted.
• India aims to achieve a nuclear power generation capacity of 100 GW by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission.
• In the last ten years, 13 reactors totaling 10600 MW were at various stages of construction/commissioning.
• Four reactors with a total capacity of 3100 MW have commenced commercial operation, including KKNPP-2 and KAPP-3&4.
• Ten indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and two Russian units (KKNPP-5&6) received administrative approval and financial sanction.
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTGCR).
• The 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, designed with indigenous technology, has been commissioned by Bhavini.

Detailed Insights:

• The SHANTI Act, 2025 aims to enable wider participation from both public and private sectors in nuclear energy generation.
• The Nuclear Energy Mission, outlined in the Union Budget 2025-26, seeks to increase nuclear energy's share as a reliable baseload in India’s energy mix.
• Operational reactors include 1x1000 MW at Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu), 2x700 MW at Kakrapar (Gujarat), and 1x700 MW at Rawatbhata (Rajasthan).
• Nine reactors with a total capacity of 7500 MW are currently under construction, located at Rawatbhata, Kudankulam, Kaiga, and Gorakhpur.
• Approved indigenous PHWRs are planned for Kaiga, Gorakhpur, Chutka, and Mahi Banswara sites.
• The Mahi Banswara projects are being implemented by ASHVINI, a Joint Venture of NPCIL and NTPC.
• BARC's SMR designs include the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and the 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55).
• The HTGCR being developed by BARC is up to 5MWth and is specifically designed for hydrogen generation.
• The Government has also approved pre-project activities for 2 x 500 MW FBR 1 & 2, which will be built with the same design as the PFBR at Kalpakkam.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs): Nuclear reactors using heavy water as coolant and moderator, and natural uranium as fuel.
• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Advanced nuclear reactors with smaller power output, designed for factory fabrication and modular construction.
• Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR): A nuclear reactor that produces more fissile material than it consumes, using fast neutrons.
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): India's premier nuclear research facility, involved in reactor design and development.
• Bhavini: A public sector undertaking responsible for the construction and operation of fast breeder reactors in India.