PHASING OUT NUCLEAR POWER – ENVIRONMENT
News: Should
India consider phasing out nuclear power? | The Hindu Parley podcast
What's in the news?
● Germany
has shut down the last of its nuclear power plants, France, the nuclear powerhouse of the world, is struggling to
replenish its stock of ageing reactors.
Key takeaways:
● With
solar and wind power becoming more popular globally, there are questions on whether nuclear power, with
its attendant concerns on cost and safety, remains a relevant option for a
future that is fossil-free, particularly in India.
Global Outlook for Nuclear Power:
● There
has been a renaissance of sorts for nuclear power in the last two years, with
even Europe and the US looking at it
again, especially after the Ukraine war.
● China
has been surging ahead on nuclear power, and South Korea’s new president has changed energy policy to increase
the share of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix to 30% by 2030.
● Japan,
despite having faced the Fukushima accident, has restarted reactors and plans
to start ten more. This is because Japan would have had to depend on expensive
imported coal or natural gas (LNG) otherwise.
● Even
the UK has said that scaling up
nuclear power is essential for decarbonizing the electricity sector.
Status of Nuclear Energy in India:
● Nuclear
energy is the fifth-largest source of
electricity in India, contributing about 2% of the country's total electricity
generation.
● India
currently has over 22 nuclear reactors
in 7 power plants across the country, which together produce 6,780 MW of nuclear power.
● In
January 2021, the Kakrapar Atomic Power
Project (KAPP-3), the biggest indigenously developed variant of the PHWR, was
connected to the grid.
● The
Indian government has allowed joint
ventures between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to enhance India's nuclear program.
○ NPCIL
is now in joint ventures with the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited
(NTPC) and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
● The
government is promoting the expansion of
nuclear installations to other parts of the country. For example, an
upcoming nuclear power plant in Gorakhpur town in Haryana will become operational
in the near future.
● India
is also working on an entirely indigenous
thorium-based nuclear plant, "Bhavni," which will be the first of
its kind using Uranium-233.
○ The
experimental thorium plant "Kamini" already exists in Kalpakkam.
Nuclear Power vs. Solar and Wind Power
● While
many people worldwide are still struggling with the question of whether nuclear
power is green, it is low-carbon, even when you consider life-cycle costs.
● Many
countries believe that nuclear power
would be good to have in the mix because it provides firm, dispatchable power,
while wind and solar are intermittent or variable.
● While
batteries are seen as the answer to the issue of variable power, they are very
expensive and have an environmental impact.
● Therefore,
it's essential to consider whether there is a viable alternative to nuclear
power before phasing it out.
Is nuclear power ‘green’?
● Nuclear
power is a low-carbon energy source,
which means it does not emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that
contribute to climate change. In this sense, it is often seen as a
"green" energy source.
● However, the process of
mining and processing uranium, building and operating nuclear power plants, and
disposing of nuclear waste all have environmental impacts that need to be considered.
● Additionally,
accidents such as the Chernobyl and
Fukushima disasters have demonstrated the potential for catastrophic environmental and human consequences.
● The
issue of nuclear waste disposal also
poses a challenge, as the radioactive material can remain hazardous for
thousands of years.
Challenges Associated with Nuclear Power:
1. Safety Concerns:
● The
safety of nuclear power plants is a significant concern, mainly due to the catastrophic consequences of nuclear
accidents.
● The
accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima
are still fresh in people's minds.
● Even
though nuclear safety has improved since then, the potential for human error,
natural disasters, or other incidents leading to nuclear accidents cannot be
ignored.
2. Nuclear Proliferation:
● Another
concern associated with nuclear power is the possibility of nuclear
proliferation.
● The enrichment of uranium
for nuclear fuel production can also be used to develop nuclear weapons.
● Therefore,
countries that have nuclear power plants must be extremely cautious about the
safety and security of their nuclear facilities to prevent the proliferation of
nuclear weapons.
3. Liability Issues:
● Nuclear
liability is a significant sticking point for many countries. In the event of a nuclear accident, the
question of liability arises.
● This
issue has been a stumbling block for India's
deal with France to install European Pressurized Reactors at Jaitapur,
Maharashtra.
● The
potential liability costs can be
enormous, making nuclear power an expensive proposition for many countries.
4. Cost Overruns:
● The
cost of building and operating nuclear power plants is another significant
challenge.
● The
high capital costs of nuclear power plants, coupled with the lengthy regulatory
approval process, can lead to cost overruns.
● The cost of nuclear power
plants is higher than the cost of alternative sources of energy such as solar
and wind power.
5. Radioactive Waste:
● Nuclear
power plants generate radioactive waste that needs to be safely disposed of to
avoid environmental contamination.
● Spent fuel from nuclear
power plants is highly radioactive and can pose significant health risks.
● The
disposal of nuclear waste is a contentious issue, with no satisfactory solution
found yet.
WAY FORWARD:
1. Open up the Market:
● Allow
other government companies like the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
to get into nuclear on their own to break the monopoly held by the Nuclear
Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and promote competition.
2. Focus on a Portfolio of Technologies:
● Energy,
especially electricity, is not going to be solved by one technology alone.
India should focus on a mix of supply-side and demand-side options, both within
and outside the nuclear sector such as solar and hydro energy.
3. Encourage an Enabling Policy Framework:
● Instead
of setting targets for nuclear energy growth, the government should focus on
creating frameworks and support mechanisms that encourage the growth of
low-carbon, firm, and reliable energy sources, including nuclear.
4. Invest in Research and Development:
● India
should invest in research and development of advanced nuclear technologies,
such as small modular reactors, to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and
address safety concerns and make use of Thorium reserves.
5. Small Modular Reactor:
● Small
Modular Reactors present numerous advantages, such as the reduction of costs
and construction time. They also present a high level of inherent safety, since
they use passive safety factors.