Introduction to Private Sector Involvement in Nuclear Energy
India's nuclear establishment has initiated a significant change by involving private players in the operationalisation of nuclear power plants. This development is aimed at enhancing efficiency in a process traditionally managed in-house.
Role of TEMA India
- TEMA India, based in Mumbai, has been assigned the task of testing equipment for upgrading depleted heavy water.
- This task was previously handled by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
- The testing facility was inaugurated at Achchad in Palghar district, where TEMA India will also manufacture equipment like distillation columns.
Significance of Heavy Water
- Heavy water (D2O) is essential for nuclear reactors as a coolant and moderator.
- D2O requires a purity of 99.9% to function effectively, but over time it gets contaminated and needs to be distilled back to purity.
Future Projects and Expansion
- TEMA India has dispatched equipment for the Rawatbhata Nuclear Power Plant (RAPP-8) in Rajasthan.
- The company will supply to four reactors in Gorakhpur, Haryana, and two in Kaiga, Karnataka.
- India targets 100 GW nuclear energy capacity by 2047, with an immediate goal of 22.4 GW by 2032.
- Currently, India has 24 operational nuclear reactors with an 8,780 MW capacity.
Government Initiatives
- The government approved the construction of 10 new reactors in 2015, aiming for a combined capacity of 13.6 GW.
- The '20,000-crore Nuclear Energy Mission' has been launched to develop Small Modular Reactors.
