[Answered] Discuss the role of nuclear energy in India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and analyze the extent to which the private sector can contribute to its expansion.

As India aims to become a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, energy security and sustainability remain critical challenges. The government has acknowledged nuclear energy as a key pillar in achieving this goal, setting an ambitious target of 100 GWe of nuclear capacity.

Role of Nuclear Energy in ‘Viksit Bharat’

• Energy Security and Base Load Power: Nuclear power offers a reliable alternative to coal and natural gas, ensuring uninterrupted supply.
• Reduced Dependence on Fossil Fuels: Expanding nuclear energy aligns with India’s net-zero targets by 2070 and reduces reliance on costly energy imports.
• Technological Advancements and Indigenous Capability: India’s focus on Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and the three-stage nuclear program, including Thorium utilization, strengthens long-term energy autonomy.
• Economic and Industrial Growth: A robust nuclear program will drive industrial expansion, creating employment and technological innovation.
• Utilization of Retiring Coal Plant Sites: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) can replace coal plants, optimizing land use while maintaining safety standards.

Extent of Private Sector Contribution

• Manufacturing and Supply Chain: Private companies can support the production of reactor components and nuclear fuel processing, reducing dependency on imports.
• Public-Private Partnerships in Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs): The government’s initiative to involve private firms in small reactor deployment is a welcome step.
• Investment and Financing: Given the capital-intensive nature of nuclear projects, private-sector funding can supplement state investment.
• Operation & Maintenance: Private expertise in maintenance and logistics can improve efficiency in reactor operations.

Limitations of Private Sector Involvement

• Regulatory Barriers: The Atomic Energy Act (1962) restricts private companies from owning and operating nuclear power plants.
• Strategic and Security Concerns: Given nuclear energy’s dual-use nature, complete privatization could pose security risks.
• Technological Readiness: India’s nuclear research is driven by state institutions, making private-sector-led innovation challenging.

Conclusion

Nuclear energy is essential for India’s transition to a developed economy, but its expansion hinges on resolving uranium supply constraints through fuel recycling. While the private sector can play a supporting role in manufacturing, financing, and reactor deployment, state-led institutions must remain at the forefront to ensure strategic autonomy and security. A balanced approach—leveraging both public and private capacities—will be key to unlocking nuclear power’s full potential in India’s growth trajectory.