The Future of Nuclear Energy: A Comprehensive Overview
As we look towards the future, India is delving deeper into nuclear power as a cornerstone of its energy strategy. With 25 operational nuclear power plants running in the country, each contributing significantly to its energy needs, this sector is expected to play an increasingly important role in India’s energy landscape.
Current State: A Summary
India has established a three-stage nuclear power program aimed at maximizing the utilization of its limited uranium resources and ensuring long-term energy security. The program follows a closed nuclear fuel cycle, treating spent fuel from reactors as resource material rather than waste. This approach is being facilitated by the Directorate of Atomic Energy (DAE), which has already utilized its expertise in the backend fuel cycle.
Uranium Resources
The country boasts substantial uranium reserves, with 42.8 million tonnes in-situ U-oxide resources identified through exploratory and deep-hole mining activities. These deposits are concentrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Monazite Resources
Beyond uranium, India’s exploration efforts have yielded significant monazite resources. Monazites contain thorium oxide, a valuable resource that includes about 9-10% thorium metal or approximately 1.04Mt of thorium oxide. These resources are found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and the inland states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
Fuel Requirements
The domestic safeguards program requires adequate Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) capacity to meet these resources. Regular projects include expanding existing power plants or establishing new ones in various regions to ensure sustained supply.
Nucleus Complex and Production
India has established the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), which includes advanced facilities like the ZirconiumComplex (“Zirconium Complex”) and the Fuel Production Facility (“FNC-Kota”). The ZirconiumComplex is currently operational since 2009, with 90% progress achieved by March 2026. The company has been working on improving the partition technology to enhance waste management efficiency.
High-Level Radioactive Waste Management
The nation’s handling of radioactive waste from nuclear fuel reprocessing involves vitrification processes. This involves converting spent fuel into glass-like products, which are then subjected to natural cooling. Current progress includes 90% physical completion at ZirconiumComplex, with major equipment in the advanced stage.
Partition Technology and Recovery
Barbaric Research & Development Centre (BARC) has demonstrated partition technology to improve waste management. This technique separates long-lived actinides for increased specific loading of spent fuel waste and recovery of useful isotopes like Caesium-137, Strontium-90, and Ruthenium-106.
Future Plans
To address the challenges in managing nuclear waste, India is planning additional nuclear power plants. The government is also investing in advanced research to further enhance partition technology and improve waste management practices.
Conclusion
As these efforts progress, India’s nuclear energy sector is set to become a critical component of its sustainable future. With continued exploration, resource discovery, and innovative technologies, the country has the potential to contribute significantly to both global energy security and climate change mitigation.