India plans 14.3 GW of new nuclear power capacity

The Indian government has announced that there are plans for nuclear power projects that will add 14.3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity. The power ministry provided this information to Parliament on Thursday. Currently, 7.3 GW of this capacity is under construction. Union minister Shripad Naik mentioned that aside from the ongoing projects, another 7,000 MW is in early stages of development. India's total installed nuclear power capacity stands at 8.18 GW, with a goal to triple this by 2032. However, Naik pointed out some challenges related to nuclear power development. Issues include finding suitable sites, environmental clearances, and the high costs of nuclear reactors. There is also a reliance on imported nuclear fuel, which adds to the complexity. To address land availability, the government is focusing on small modular reactors. The 2026 budget proposed a goal of deploying 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047. This effort is aimed at providing a clean alternative to fossil fuels and supporting energy needs in remote areas. Further plans include the development of different types of small modular reactors and gas-cooled reactors for hydrogen production. A budget of ₹20,000 crore has been set aside for the deployment of five small modular reactors by 2033. Additionally, the government is partnering with the private sector for building small nuclear plants. A task force has been formed to examine necessary changes to the Atomic Energy Act. This group includes various governmental bodies and aims to address issues like nuclear safety and regulation. Another task force is working on the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act to respond to private supplier concerns.