As the Centre readies to bring major amendments to nuclear power laws in the upcoming Parliament session, on the table are proposals to allow the private sector to participate in at least 4-5 key areas – from exploration and mining of atomic minerals to the critical area of fuel fabrication — all of which are currently tightly held by the government.
ET has learnt that deliberations are underway at the highest level in the government to recast the nuclear power ecosystem, which is currently the singular domain of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
The proposed new architecture envisages a significant role for the power ministry, creation of new entities for development of nuclear parks and power procurement through government and private operators even as the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board stays the overarching regulator.
ET looks at the major shifts under serious discussion.
Finding atomic minerals
The survey and identification of locations feasible for exploration and extraction of atomic minerals, mainly uranium and lithium, is currently done entirely by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research. The Centre is now considering allowing private sector explorers into the domain.
Mining it
Currently, the preserve of the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd, a PSU under DAE, the private sector could soon be allowed to mine atomic minerals.
Fuel Fabrication
This is the critical final step towards turning uranium into nuclear fuel rods that are batched into ‘fuel assemblies’ that feed the reactor’s core structure. Fuel fabrication is currently done by the DAE’s Nuclear Fuel Complex such as the one in Hyderabad. Domestic uranium mined by UCIL and imported uranium sourced by DAE fuels NFC. New proposals suggest bringing in the private sector to pitch in with fuel fabrication.
Going electric
This leads to the next key step towards generation of nuclear powered electricity where the Nuclear Power of Corporation of India Ltd comes into play. Currently, it is the NFC that supplies fuel assemblies to NPCIL; the Heavy Water Board supplies it heavy water and the PSU Electronics Corporation of India facilitates the control, instrumentation and simulator systems. A key shift is expected in this area bringing in the power ministry and a new architecture with recast entities.
Proposed: A new architecture
A Nuclear Park Development Agency is expected to develop the ecosystem for nuclear power plants, right from land, water, power infrastructure and so on.
The Nuclear Power Trading Corporation will be the core body for all power procurement and distribution, from inviting and awarding tenders to various operators to routing of nuclear-powered electricity.
A Fuel and Heavy Water Regulator is also envisaged to decide on and supply required fuel assemblies and heavy water to the operators.
Private sector is also envisaged along with the ECIL in facilitating instrumentation and control systems for the operator.
A Radioactive Waste Management & Decommissioning Authority is expected to be brought in to reprocess the spent fuel received from operators. Currently, NPCIL sends the spent fuel for reprocessing to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre which routes it to BHAVINI for recycling spent fuel.
