Transforming India's Nuclear Power Landscape: Targets, Reforms, and Challenges
India aims to significantly boost its nuclear power generation capacity to 100 GW by 2047, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This ambitious target is supported by the transformative SHANTI Bill (2025), which seeks to open the nuclear sector to private and foreign investment, revise liability frameworks, and grant statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The article emphasizes nuclear power's crucial role in achieving India's 'net-zero' emissions goal and meeting growing electricity demand. It also outlines challenges in implementation, including financing, indigenization of technology, and the need for transparent regulatory frameworks.
Key Points
- India targets increasing its nuclear power generation capacity to 100 GW by 2047.
- The SHANTI Bill (2025) aims to transform the nuclear energy landscape by allowing private and foreign investment.
- The bill will repeal the 1962 Atomic Energy Act and 2010 Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, establishing a new regulatory framework.
- Nuclear power is deemed essential for achieving India's 'net-zero' emissions target and ensuring baseload power.
- Challenges include securing over $200 billion in private investment, indigenizing new reactor designs, and streamlining project implementation.
Exam Facts
- Target: 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.
- SHANTI Bill (2025) replaces the 1962 Atomic Energy Act and 2010 Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act.
- India's first nuclear power reactor became operational in 1969 in Tarapur.
- Current installed nuclear capacity is 8,780 MW across 24 plants managed by NPCIL.
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