A bold step amid an ambitious nuclear energy target, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• India aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear installed capacity by mid-century to meet its growing energy demands and decarbonization goals.
• The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 was passed by both Houses of Parliament.
• India's nuclear energy sector is focused on indigenous development, mastering Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology, fuel fabrication, and waste management.
• To reach a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.9, India needs to generate approximately 24,000 Terra-Watt-Hours (TWh) per annum.

Detailed Insights:

• The SHANTI Bill consolidates the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, streamlining regulations for nuclear power plants.
• India's current energy mix relies heavily on fossil fuels, necessitating a shift towards hydro, nuclear, solar, and wind power to achieve decarbonization.
• While solar and wind energy have potential, their intermittency requires baseload generation capacity like nuclear power plants to ensure a stable electricity supply.
• India has developed indigenous capabilities in PHWR technology, with several 700 MW units already operational or under construction, reducing reliance on imports except for uranium.
• Achieving the targeted HDI of 0.9 requires a significant increase in electricity generation, with about 60% used as electricity and the rest for hydrogen production to decarbonize sectors like steel and fertilizers.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Human Development Index (HDI): A metric combining per capita income, education, and health to represent human development.
• Decarbonization: Reducing carbon emissions from energy sources and various sectors of the economy.
• Baseload Generation: Consistent and reliable electricity generation that is not dependent on weather conditions or time of day.