Importance of national level policies to support thorium-based advanced nuclear reactor technologies : India as a case study

Abstract

Energy security and energy independence while keeping the environmental impact to a minimum is one of India’s top priorities. India is expanding its energy production capacity to meet the increasing energy demand due to rapid economic development and population growth, with nuclear energy playing a significant role alongside renewables like solar and wind. The capability to produce reliable power while keeping the emissions to a minimum motivates India to develop its nuclear technology further. However, India faces many challenges, including unreliable power supply in its energy sector, even when focusing on renewables and other green technologies. Issues of traditional uranium-based nuclear reactors are also prominent. This study explores the potential advantages of thorium-based advanced nuclear reactors, with capacities of up to 300 MWe, as a solution to these challenges and the adequacy of existing nuclear energy policies to support this technology adoption. India’s existing nuclear programme and the abundance of thorium resources give the country a strategic advantage in supporting the decision to adopt this technology to fulfil the ambition of energy security and independence. The study examines the current status of thorium-based advanced nuclear reactor technology and the status of nuclear energy in India. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study examines the existing challenges faced by the Indian power sector. Challenges across the technical, socio-political, economic and environmental sectors have been identified. The advantages such systems could bring to India's energy environment are assessed and categorised to evaluate the merits of advanced thorium based nuclear technologies. To support the adoption of this technology, national-level policies are a must. The study also examined India's existing policies on nuclear energy, their stakeholder impact, and policy gaps in adopting thorium-based advanced nuclear energy technology. The study concluded with a policy recommendation to adopt advanced nuclear technology and a potential phase-by-phase implementation map for India to achieve energy security.