Having private participation in India’s nuclear energy

News: Union Budget 2024-25 has proposed forging partnerships with the private sector for the development of Small Nuclear reactors. However, the enhancement of private sector’s participation in SNR will depend on making significant changes to AERB’s structure and functions. 

1. Small Nuclear Reactors (SNR) are smaller than the traditional nuclear power plants, offering an output of 30 to 300 MWe per unit.

2. The SNR offers the advantages of compactness, reduced cost and construction time, improved Safety standards and reduced fuel requirement.

3. The regulation of safety of the nuclear reactors is carried out by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

4. AERB is a statutory body constituted in 1983, under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. It is headquartered in Mumbai.