Why in the News

India’s nuclear establishment is prioritising Light Water Reactors (LWRs) for global market integration while retaining Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) as a domestic and strategic strength. This marks a significant departure from India’s earlier inward-looking PHWR-centric approach. The shift is urgent as Light Water Reactors account for over 85% of global nuclear capacity. India seeks export competitiveness as emerging economies like the UAE, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey expand nuclear power.

Why do Light Water Reactors dominate the global nuclear market?

1. Global share: LWRs constitute over 85% of installed civil nuclear reactor capacity worldwide.
2. Design simplicity: Uses normal water as coolant and moderator, reducing engineering complexity.
3. Cost structure: Lower construction costs due to economies of scale and standardised designs.
4. Operational efficiency: Higher thermal efficiency compared to heavy water reactors.
5. Fuel ecosystem: Reliance on enriched uranium, readily accessible in Western markets.

Why has India relied on PHWRs despite global LWR dominance?

1. Fuel flexibility: PHWRs operate on natural uranium, reducing enrichment dependence.
2. Resource alignment: Matches India’s limited uranium and abundant thorium reserves.
3. Indigenous capability: Strong domestic expertise in design, manufacturing, and operation.
4. Strategic autonomy: Minimises external fuel supply vulnerabilities.
5. Limitation: Reduced export competitiveness in markets structured around LWR ecosystems.

Why is the current LWR push a strategic departure for India?

1. Export integration: Enables Indian firms to enter the global nuclear supply chain.
2. Private participation: Supported by legal reforms opening nuclear power to non-state actors.
3. Project acceleration: DAE fast-tracking the 900 MWe indigenous LWR design, initiated in 2015.
4. Negotiating leverage: Enhances bargaining capacity with foreign vendors on imports and technology.
5. Market realism: Aligns reactor strategy with international demand patterns.

What challenges have exposed the limits of LWR-led imports?

1. Cost escalation: Higher capital costs translate into elevated electricity tariffs.
2. Domestic displacement: Risk of sidelining indigenous PHWR manufacturing capacity.
3. Case study: Jaitapur: Project delays due to tariff concerns, liability issues, and Areva’s financial instability.
4. Market absorption: Indian electricity markets struggle to absorb high-cost nuclear power.

How are PHWRs repositioned in India’s nuclear future?

1. Fuel innovation: PHWRs using thorium and low-enriched uranium lower scale-up constraints.
2. Export differentiation: Positions PHWRs as a niche solution for resource-constrained economies.
3. Manufacturing depth: Builds on India’s experience from 220 MWe to 700 MWe PHWR units.
4. Growth alignment: Supports nuclear expansion without overreliance on imported enrichment services.

What role do SMRs play in India’s nuclear ambitions?

1. Capacity range: 30-300 MWe Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
2. Cost efficiency: Enables modular, scalable deployment.
3. Export potential: Enhances attractiveness for emerging economies.
4. Strategic competition: China pursuing SMR leadership as a Global South diplomatic tool, similar to EV sector disruption.

Conclusion

India’s nuclear pivot reflects strategic pragmatism rather than abandonment of legacy strengths. The dual-track approach, global LWR integration combined with PHWR-based differentiation, balances export ambition, energy security, and industrial capability. Success depends on managing costs, protecting indigenous capacity, and converting legislative reform into manufacturing scale.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2018] With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy?

Linkage: The question links directly to India’s energy security and clean baseload power needs, where nuclear energy complements renewables. The current debate on LWR expansion, PHWR indigenisation, high costs, and safety concerns reflects the balance between the facts and fears of nuclear power.

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