Investment and Capacity Goals for Nuclear Energy in India
India requires an investment of approximately Rs 23-25 trillion to achieve the target of 100 GW of installed nuclear energy capacity by 2047. This necessitates sustained average capacity additions of 4.5 GW annually post-2030-32, as outlined in a report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Current and Projected Nuclear Capacity
- Current Capacity: 8.8 GW
- Expected Capacity by 2030-32: 22 GW
- Needed Annual Addition Post-2030-32: 4.5 GW
Pathways for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) Deployment
- Early government support through project-specific special purpose vehicles (SPVs) can lower costs, attract private sector participation, and aid domestic supply chain development.
- Key areas include regulatory readiness, standardised reactor designs, skilled human resources, fuel supply, and waste management systems.
Three-Phased Approach for SMR Integration
- Phase 1 (by 2030):
- Complete current PHWR/FBR projects
- Update regulatory frameworks and policies for SMRs
- Initiate fuel fabrication expansion
- Evaluate sites for SMRs and engage in technology partnerships
- Phase 2 (2030-2040):
- Serial deployment of PHWR/FBR
- Initial SMR commercialisation and fleet development
- Develop the thorium fuel cycle
- Phase 3 (2040-2047):
- Large-scale capacity addition
- SMRs for green hydrogen production and hard-to-abate sectors
- Deploy thorium-based Advanced Heavy Water Reactors
- Integrate with the national grid for base-load flexibility
Global Context and Lessons
Countries like the United States, Canada, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom are advancing SMR development through regulatory adaptations and industrial ecosystem enhancements. India should learn from these initiatives to manage risks and expedite the deployment of SMRs.
