Maria Irene
India’s nuclear ambitions have always been the subject of both awe and scrutiny on the world stage. And now, with the announcement that its first indigenously developed 700 MW nuclear power plant in Gujarat’s Kakrapar is running at full throttle, India is challenging conventional narratives around its technological prowess and commitment to clean energy.
What began as a promise on June 30 when the reactor commenced its commercial operations at 90% capacity, has now metamorphosed into a full-scale operation. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the achievement, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), the orchestrator behind this feat, joined the ranks of countries that have taken a decisive step toward self-sufficiency in energy generation.
NPCIL has already planned the construction of two 700 MW pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar. Alongside, it is actively engaged in commissioning another unit, KAPP 4, which reached a noteworthy 97.56% completion by July. Add to that the corporation’s ambitious plan to erect 16 more 700 MW PHWRs across the Indian subcontinent, and you realize that India isn’t merely dabbling in nuclear power—it is going all in.
India’s nuclear power trajectory is unique, and not just for its home-grown technologies. While global nuclear giants often rely on uranium, India has tapped into its abundant thorium reserves. With beach sands in Kerala and Orissa teeming with monazite, a mineral rich in 8-10% thorium, the country has an edge in future-proofing its energy policy.
The government isn’t stopping there. Taking an unprecedented leap, it has approved the construction of 10 indigenously developed PHWRs in what they call “fleet mode” at four more locations, including Gorakhpur in Haryana, Chutka in Madhya Pradesh, Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan, and Kaiga in Karnataka. This strategy further solidifies India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in the nuclear sector, not just in capacity but in technology and innovation as well.
However, this nuclear march forward isn’t going to be a solo journey. Opening doors to the private sector, both domestic and foreign, is a recommendation put forth by a government panel spearheaded by think-tank Niti Aayog. Traditionally, the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 restricted private players to being “junior equity partners,” but the rules of engagement are set to change. Companies like Westinghouse Electric, GE-Hitachi, Electricite de France, and Rosatom may soon find the Indian nuclear sector more inviting, a move that can inject fresh energy and technologies into India’s nuclear development.
One of the key highlights in India’s nuclear playbook is the focus on small modular reactors (SMRs). Unlike their larger counterparts, SMRs are factory-built, demand less capital and land, and can be safely integrated into populated areas. Currently accounting for only 3% of India’s total power generation, SMRs could be the key to escalating nuclear power’s contribution.
Moreover, there’s a proposal to gradually phase out older coal-based plants and replace them with these modular reactors. With coal making up three-quarters of India’s energy portfolio, the time is ripe for a seismic shift toward cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. By 2031, India plans to add 21 more nuclear units with a capacity of 7,000 MW, thereby almost doubling its existing 6,780 MW capacity.
Safety, understandably, is a paramount concern. As a signatory to international conventions on nuclear safety, India is bound to ensure that both public and private companies adhere to rigorous safety standards. The atomic energy department has also engaged in consultations with industry players, showing that the government is not bypassing any critical input before submitting recommendations to the Prime Minister’s office.
This concerted push toward nuclear energy is more than a technological marvel; it’s a clarion call for energy independence and sustainability. The Kakrapar Atomic Power Project serves as an emblematic testament to India’s changing energy landscape, one that harmonizes traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology.
And as the world watches, India is not just keeping the lights on; it’s illuminating a pathway for other countries to follow, in the quest for a cleaner, greener future. If nuclear energy was ever a dance, then India has taken to the floor, and the music has just begun.
