To facilitate the implementation of the Nuclear Energy Mission, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be taken up by the parliament for shielding plant operators and cap equipment suppliers’ liability, along with redesigning operator insurance to Rs 1,500 crore per incident under Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool
New Delhi: The government on Fridayapproved a Bill that seeks to open up the tightly-controlled civil nuclear power sector for private participation as India eyes 100 GW atomic energy capacity by 2047.
At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill.
To facilitate the implementation of the Nuclear Energy Mission, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be taken up by the parliament for shielding plant operators and cap equipment suppliers’ liability, along with redesigning operator insurance to Rs 1,500 crore per incident under Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool.
These amendments are expected to encourage private sector investments in nuclear power projects.
India is actively enhancing its nuclear power capacity to meet growing energy demands and achieve environmental goals
In her Budget speech in February, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced plans of opening up the nuclear power sector for private sector participation.
Sitharaman also announced the Nuclear Energy Mission for research and development of small modular reactors or SMRs with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore, and to operationalise five indigenously developed SMRs by 2033.
The government has initiated steps to increase nuclear power capacity from the current 8,180 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-32. This expansion includes the construction and commissioning of ten reactors, totalling 8,000 MW, across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
Safety remains a cornerstone of India’s nuclear energy policy. India’s nuclear power plants operate with stringent safety protocols and international oversight. The radiation levels at Indian nuclear facilities are consistently well below global benchmarks, underscoring the country’s commitment to secure and sustainable nuclear energy. These efforts align with India’s broader strategy to provide clean and reliable energy, contributing to long-term energy security and environmental sustainability.