Does Nuclear Energy Really Hold Promise for India's Clean Energy Transition

At the recently concluded 29th Conference of the Parties or COP29, several critical issues were discussed. Nuclear energy was also a key topic, following the COP28 commitment by 22 countries to triple nuclear capacity by 2050. This year saw more countries entering the above commitment, taking the total count to 31, while the discussions mostly delved into the details of advancing nuclear energy, emphasising strategies for attracting investments, strengthening cross-border partnerships and identifying ways to deploy small modular reactors (SMRs) for energy-intensive sectors.

India has been signalling its commitment to nuclear energy for some time now. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Power urged states to identify sites for new nuclear plants, and had, in the Union Budget 2024-25, announced its intention to partner with the private sector for nuclear energy deployment. The buzz around nuclear energy—a near zero-carbon energy source offering reliable, round-the-clock power supply that sets it apart from intermittent sources like solar and wind—is understandable. With technological innovations like SMRs, nuclear energy is becoming more adaptable and affordable for developing countries. But despite its long-recognised benefits, nuclear energy development has been slow in India.Commissioning delays, cost overruns, and public opposition have been the key obstacles, which must be addressed head-on to realise the potential of nuclear energy.