Record Surge in India’s Nuclear Power Generation
- India’s nuclear power generation has reached its highest-ever level, with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) producing 56,681 million units (MUs) of electricity in FY 2024-25.
- This marks the first time India has crossed the 50 billion-unit threshold in nuclear generation.
- Furthermore, nuclear energy helped India avoid ~49 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
About Nuclear Energy
- It is the second largest source of low-carbon electricity production globally (after hydropower) and provided about 30% of all low-carbon electricity generated in 2019.
- Nuclear power accounted for 9.8% of total electricity production in 2021, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points from the previous year.
- The share of nuclear grew rapidly from 1980 to 1990, almost doubling, but has declined since 2000.
Key Developments in India’s Nuclear Power Capacity
- Foundation stone laid for the Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project in Rajasthan (four units of 700 MW each), executed by NPCIL–NTPC JV ASHVINI.
- Unit 7 of Rawatbhata was synchronised with the Northern Grid and commenced commercial operations.
- The two 700 MWe Kakrapar reactors received full-operation clearance from the regulator.
- Several reactors, including Tarapur-3 and Kudankulam-2, completed year-long continuous operation runs, highlighting improved reliability and efficiency.
- The Atomic Energy Commission approved pre-project activities for 10 additional 700 MWe PHWRs, signalling expansion beyond the 22.5 GW target for 2032.
India’s Nuclear Energy Programme
- India follows a three-stage nuclear power programme (as shown in the infographic).
- Current Status (July 2025): Nuclear energy accounts for roughly 3% of the country’s total electricity generation.
- Long-term Goal: Achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
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Three-Stage Programme Structure:
Benefits of Nuclear Energy
- Clean, renewable energy with a minimal carbon footprint. Greenhouse gas emissions are only 5 to 6 grams per kilowatt-hour. This is 100 times lower than coal-fired electricity and about half the average of solar and wind generation.
- Perennial availability: Unlike renewable energy sources such as wind or solar, nuclear power is not dependent on weather conditions and can provide a stable electricity supply regardless of external factors.
- Nuclear power generation helps avoid emissions of more than 1 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent every year.
- In the last five decades, this has resulted in a cumulative avoidance of about 70 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
Regulatory and Safety Challenges
- Lack of an Independent Regulator: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) currently operates under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), raising concerns about autonomy and transparency.
- Risk of Nuclear Accidents: Despite technological advancements, nuclear disasters like Chornobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) highlight the need for stringent safety protocols.
- Cybersecurity Risks: With rising digital threats, securing nuclear infrastructure from cyberattacks is critical.
Way Forward
- Speed Up Approvals: India must fast-track nuclear project clearances through a streamlined, single-window approval system.
- Boost R&D: Greater investment in homegrown technologies, especially Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Fast Breeder Reactors, as well as reactor design and fuel cycles, will reduce reliance on external suppliers.
- Uranium Supply: Expanded domestic exploration and quicker mining approvals are key to overcoming fuel shortages.
- Skilled Human Capital: Scaling up nuclear education, specialised training programmes, and partnerships with global institutions will help build a technically proficient workforce.
- Nuclear Waste Management: India needs a centralised and modern waste management system backed by advanced reprocessing technologies.
Nuclear energy can anchor India’s clean, reliable energy transition if governance, safety, and public trust are strengthened. As PM Modi notes, “Sustainable development is the pathway to a better future,” aligning nuclear expansion with SDG 7 (Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Reference: The Hindu
PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 459
Q.While nuclear power offers low-carbon base-load electricity and strategic energy security, its expansion in India faces structural and societal challenges. Critically assess whether nuclear energy can emerge as a sustainable pillar of India’s energy transition. (250 Words) (15 Marks)
Approach
- Introduction: Write a contextual introduction about nuclear power in India.
- Body: Analyse how nuclear energy can emerge as a sustainable pillar of India’s energy transition, mention challenges, and way forward.
- Conclusion: Emphasis on a clean energy future with future course of action.
