Indian nuclear power programme – Past, present and future

The country is facing energy shortages at present for the connected load. A large population even now does not have access to electricity. As the economy expands and the population increases, the country will need to generate even more power to meet the growing demand. Resources of energy are experiencing constraints to meet the current demand. The generating capacities in the country are underperforming at present because of fuel supply constraint. Analysis in the Energy Policy document hints that conventional fuel resources will begin to exhaust by middle of the century. All these indicate that for India to be able to meet its growing demand, nuclear and solar power could provide energy security in the long term. The first stage of commercially successful nuclear power programme has indicated that country has command on the technology through its own R&D base built since the beginning of establishing Department of Atomic Energy. On this strength it could withstand the technology denial regime for years. The second stage (Fast Breeder Reactor) programme has been initiated. Given the scientific and technological capability demonstrated so far, the technology required for optimizing the second stage programme and launching the third stage programme can be developed to assure long term energy security at the desired capacity.