NUCLEAR POWER IN INDIA

1. Background

• India has a largely indigenous nuclear power programme.
• The Indian government is committed to growing its nuclear power capacity as part of its massive infrastructure development programme.
• The government has set ambitious targets to grow nuclear capacity.
• Because India is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons programme, it was for 34 years largely excluded from trade in nuclear plants and materials, which hampered its development of civil nuclear energy until 2009.
• Due to earlier trade bans and lack of indigenous uranium, India has uniquely been developing a nuclear fuel cycle to exploit its reserves of thorium.
• Since 2010, a fundamental incompatibility between India’s civil liability law and international conventions limits foreign technology provision.

2. Uranium Resources in India

• India's uranium resources are modest, with 183,600 tonnes of uranium as identified resources in situ
• These are all in a high-cost category, and India expects to import an increasing proportion of its uranium fuel needs. 
• In 2013 it was importing about 40% of uranium requirements. 
• Exploration is carried out by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD).
• Mining and processing of uranium are carried out by Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL), also a subsidiary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), in Jharkhand near Calcutta. 

Nuclear energy offers many advantages as the emissions-free workhorse of our energy grid. Its unique value cannot be found in any other energy source.

• Nuclear protects national security. India’s leadership in nuclear energy maintains safety and nonproliferation standards globally, supports a resilient electrical grid at home, and fuels a strong navy.

• Nuclear fights climate change. Nuclear energy provides large amounts of 24/7 carbon-free electricity now, which is irreplaceable in protecting the environment.

• Nuclear ensures U.S. leadership in technology. The United States pioneered nuclear energy for the world and, with continued leadership, can respond to growing clean energy demand worldwide with advanced reactors.

• Nuclear produces electricity reliably. Around-the-clock electricity is a must for our nation to prosper in the 21st century. Clean, reliable nuclear energy is a critical part of Indian infrastructure because it runs nonstop for 18-24 months at a time.

• Nuclear generates jobs. Nuclear energy provides more than 100,000 well-paid, long-term jobs and supports local economies with millions of dollars in state and local tax revenues.

• Nuclear protects our air. Nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and mercury: are all things you don’t want in the air you breathe. Nuclear energy provides power 24/7 without a trace of those pollutants.

• Nuclear boosts international development. Nuclear energy helps developing nations meet sustainable development goals.

• Nuclear power electric vehicles. Electrified transportation promises to reduce carbon emissions. When powered by carbon-free nuclear energy, electric vehicles can reach their full potential.

4. Future of Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear reactors use fission, or the splitting of atoms, to produce energy. 
• Nuclear energy can also be produced through fusion, or joining (fusing) atoms together. 
• The sun, for instance, is constantly undergoing nuclear fusion as hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium. 
• Because all life on our planet depends on the sun, you could say that nuclear fusion makes life on Earth possible.
• Nuclear power plants cannot safely and reliably produce energy from nuclear fusion. 
• It's not clear whether the process will ever be an option for producing electricity. Nuclear engineers are researching nuclear fusion, however, because the process will likely be safe and cost-effective.