TERI Report on India’s Nuclear Energy Vision
- Context: This report, titled “Strategic Pathways for Deploying SMRs”, states that to reach a nuclear energy capacity of 100 Gigawatts (GW) by the year 2047, India will require an investment of ₹23-25 lakh crore, comprehensive regulatory reforms, and the rapid adoption of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology.
Key Features of the Report
- To increase nuclear energy capacity by the year 2047, India will require a massive amount of investment.
- The current nuclear energy infrastructure is primarily designed for large nuclear reactors; this infrastructure must be modified to introduce SMRs and to allow private sector participation.
- The report highlights financial risks, fuel security, shortage of skilled human resources, and public acceptance as major challenges.
- It recommends adopting a ‘hybrid model’ that includes both large-scale conventional nuclear reactors and SMRs.
Current Status of Nuclear Energy in India
- India is currently operating 25 nuclear reactors.
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- The total installed capacity is approximately 8.8 GW.
- This capacity is projected to rise to approximately 22 GW by the year 2032.
- India has set a target to reach a capacity of 100 GW by the year 2047.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- SMRs are modern and small-scale nuclear reactors built using factory-based ‘modular technology’.
India’s Initiatives
- India is currently developing three indigenous SMR designs.
- A financial allocation of ₹20,000 crore has been made in the Union Budget for 2025-26 for SMR-related research and development activities.
- The target is to bring five indigenous SMRs into operation by the year 2033.
