Why in the News
Experts have highlighted the importance of thorium-based nuclear energy in achieving India’s target of 100 gigawatts electric (GWe) nuclear power capacity by 2047, especially after the passage of the SHANTI Act 2025.
Why Thorium is Important for India
1. Largest Thorium Reserves
- India possesses the world’s largest thorium reserves.
- Thorium deposits are mainly found in monazite sands along the Indian coastline.
2. Energy Security
- India’s current nuclear programme relies heavily on imported uranium because domestic uranium ores are low-grade.
- A nuclear capacity of 100 GWe would require 18,000–20,000 tonnes of uranium annually, which may become difficult to secure globally.
3. Reduced Nuclear Proliferation Risk
- Thorium fuel cycles produce less weapons-usable material, reducing proliferation risks compared to conventional uranium cycles.
India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme
The programme was designed to use India’s large thorium resources.
Stage 1: Thermal Reactors
- Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor
- Uses natural uranium as fuel.
Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs)
- Convert plutonium and fertile materials into more fuel.
- India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) is nearing completion.
Stage 3: Thorium-Based Reactors
- Thorium is converted into uranium-233, which becomes the main fuel.
Key Technologies for Thorium Deployment
- Fast Breeder Reactors: Essential to generate uranium-233 from thorium.
- Thorium Molten Salt Reactors (TMSR): Advanced reactors designed for thorium fuel cycles.
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Compact reactors that can produce electricity and green hydrogen.
- HALEU Fuel: High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium
- Can be combined with thorium in existing reactors to accelerate the thorium fuel cycle.
Role of Nuclear Fuel Recycling
- Nuclear recycling can increase the energy potential of fuel 50–100 times.
- Countries such as France, Russia, and India already use such technologies
| [2012] To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium? Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
