Expansion of India's Civil Nuclear Power Sector
The recent passage of the SHANTI Act introduces private participation in India's civil nuclear power sector, raising questions about jurisdictional administration between the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Ministry of Power.
Current Administrative Structure
- The DAE, under the Prime Minister’s Office, currently controls the nuclear sector.
- There is a proposal to bring new private nuclear projects under the Ministry of Power, while legacy projects remain with the DAE.
Concerns and Reforms
- Concerns about a conflict of interest have been raised as the DAE controls the entire nuclear power supply chain.
- The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was previously dependent on the DAE for budget, but the SHANTI Act accords it statutory status to play a larger regulatory role.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had highlighted conflicts of responsibility within the AERB in 2012.
Technological and Administrative Jurisdiction
- Private projects using imported technology like Light Water Reactors (LWR) or Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) may fall under the Ministry of Power.
- Projects using Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), where the DAE has expertise, may remain under its control.
Future Goals and Capacity
- India aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047, with NPCIL developing more than half of this capacity.
- NTPC, under the Ministry of Power, is expected to develop around 30% of the remaining capacity, with the rest by private players.
Legislative Provisions of SHANTI Act
- The Act allows private entry into the nuclear sector and omits a liability clause that had exposed vendors to uncertain risks.
- It retains central government control over critical activities such as radioactive substance management and isotopic separation.
Current and Projected Capacity
- India’s installed nuclear power capacity is currently 8.7 GWe, just 1.65% of its total capacity.
- An additional 6,600 MWe of nuclear capacity is under construction, targeted for completion by 2031-32.
- Plans and approvals are underway for another 7,000 MWe of nuclear capacity.
