(Prelims: Current Affairs of National & International Importance)
(Mains, General Studies Paper-3: Infrastructure: Power, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.) |
Context
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced the state's first nuclear power plant based on a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) in Bihar. The plant will be set up under the Nuclear Power Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
About the proposed nuclear power plant
- Site: Rajauli in Nawada district
- Plant capacity: 2,000 MW
- Developer: Developed under a joint venture of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
- Benefits:
- The plant will ensure maximum power supply to Bihar, which is important for industrial development and economic progress.
- This is considered a revolutionary step towards making Bihar self-reliant in the energy sector.
- From an environmental point of view, it will promote clean energy production, which will reduce carbon emissions.
About Nuclear Energy Mission
- Goal: To promote nuclear energy capacity by promoting research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Under this mission, at least five indigenously developed small modular reactors will be commissioned by the year 2033.
- Budget allocation: ₹20,000 crore
- Amendment: Under this mission, the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be amended to promote private sector participation in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.
- Importance:
- In line with the target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 and net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
- Currently India is dependent on conventional sources like coal for about 75% of its energy needs. Hence this mission will be important to establish nuclear energy as an important source.
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Small Modular Reactors (SMR)
- Introduction: These are small nuclear reactors which usually produce less than 300 MW of electricity.
- In contrast, conventional pressurized heavy water nuclear reactors (PHWR) usually have the capacity to generate 500 MW or more.
- Advantages: These are relatively simple and modular designs due to which their components can be assembled in the factory rather than being manufactured on site. Its other advantages are as follows-
- Much smaller in size than conventional reactors
- Cost effective
- Factory built
- Occupies less space
- Flexible operation
- Development: Currently there are about 80 commercial SMR designs under development around the world including India's own Bharat Small Modular Reactor.
- The current government has set a target of installing about 40-50 such nuclear reactors in the next decade.
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