Overview of India's Nuclear Energy Sector Development

The Indian government is working towards liberalizing the nuclear energy sector through legal amendments. The focus is on upgrading quality standards and expanding the nuclear supplier base to attract foreign equipment vendors and enhance domestic capacity.

Quality Standards and Training

• Foreign vendors emphasize establishing quality standards to improve manufacturing processes in the nuclear value chain.
• Suggested initiatives include a national program for training equipment suppliers, particularly for new technologies like light water reactors (LWR) and small modular reactors (SMR).
• Quality concerns are especially relevant for second and third-tier suppliers that support major companies like L&T, Bharat Forge, Godrej & Boyce, and Walchandnagar Industries.

Cybersecurity Concerns

• Global vendors highlight the need for robust cybersecurity protocols to protect critical information and prevent potential cyber-attacks on nuclear plants.

Historical Context and Challenges

• Examples of past quality and cost overruns, such as Finland’s Olkiluoto-3 EPR nuclear reactor, illustrate the challenges faced in the nuclear sector.
• India’s nuclear regulator, AERB, focuses on design certifications, but quality aspects are managed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL).

National and International Quality Upgrades

• Japan and China have established national programs to enhance nuclear quality assurance, serving as models for India.
• IAEA has developed quality assurance codes and safety guides influencing global standards.

Improving India's Nuclear Vendor Base

• Recommendations include increasing vendor capacity and improving quality control and assurance through comprehensive training and third-party inspections.
• The focus is on expanding vendor capabilities in manufacturing core equipment and enhancing expertise in control and instrumentation.

Legislative Groundwork and SMR Development

• India is working on legislative amendments to align its atomic energy laws with global standards, addressing investor concerns.
• The country is pushing the development of SMRs to provide low-carbon electricity and balance renewable energy integration.
• The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is designing and developing indigenous SMRs such as the Bharat Small Reactor and the Bharat Small Modular Reactor.