Why in the News
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is setting up a new design vertical to support private companies deploying Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology. This follows recent legal reform enabling private participation in civil nuclear power. The move marks a shift from NPCIL’s traditional role as sole builder and operator of India’s nuclear fleet toward a design-support role for private entrants, addressing India’s stated need to scale nuclear capacity to meet rising electricity demand while keeping deployment within a technology NPCIL already operates at scale.
Why does India favour PHWR technology for private entry?
- Established domestic supply chain: PHWR technology has been indigenised in India since the 1980s, giving it a mature domestic manufacturing and fuel-cycle base that a newly entering private player can draw on.
- Natural uranium fuel cycle: PHWRs use natural, unenriched uranium, avoiding dependence on enrichment technology that remains tightly controlled internationally.
What does NPCIL’s new design unit change?
- From sole operator to technology enabler: NPCIL will now provide design support to private players rather than being the only entity that builds and runs reactors, opening a role private companies previously could not access.
- Institutional capacity test: Whether NPCIL’s new vertical can support multiple private projects simultaneously, without diverting engineering capacity from its own ongoing reactor construction, remains to be demonstrated.
Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)
- PHWR = Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor uses heavy water (deuterium oxide, D₂O) as moderator and Coolant
- It uses natural, unenriched uranium as fuel.
Key Features of PHWR
Heavy Water
- Heavy water contains deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen.
- It acts as both the moderator and coolant in PHWRs.
Natural Uranium
- PHWRs can operate using natural uranium, avoiding the need for uranium enrichment for the reactor fuel.
Online Refuelling
- PHWRs permit online refuelling.
- Fuel bundles can be replaced while the reactor continues operating.
- Therefore, the reactor does not need to be shut down for routine fuel replacement.
“[2017, GS3, 15 marks] Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?”
[2023] Consider the following statements:
Statement-IIndia, despite having Uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production.
Statement-II:Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements
[A] Both Statement-I and Statement – II are correct and Statement- II is the correct explanation for Statement- I
[B] Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
[C] Statement- I is Correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
[D] Statement-I incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
