Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : The Indian government is formulating a comprehensive strategy to dramatically reduce the construction timeline for new nuclear power plants from the current average of 9.5 years to a target of just 5 years. This ambitious initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is a critical component of India's plan to meet its rising energy needs and achieve its clean energy targets.
A.K. Mohanty, Secretary of the DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, confirmed that the government is actively working on a roadmap to achieve this accelerated timeline. The move is seen as essential for boosting India's nuclear power capacity, which provides a reliable, 24/7, carbon-free source of energy to complement intermittent renewables like solar and wind.
How India Plans to Build Faster
To achieve this significant reduction in turnaround time, the government is focusing on several key strategic shifts in its project execution approach:
- Fleet Mode Construction: Instead of building reactors one by one, India is adopting a "fleet mode" approach. This involves constructing multiple reactors of the same standardized design simultaneously across different locations. This standardizes supply chains, streamlines manufacturing, and brings down costs and construction time. The government has already sanctioned the construction of 10 new Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) under this model.
- Modular Construction: A crucial element of the new strategy is the move towards modular building. This involves pre-fabricating large components and sections of the plant in factories and then transporting them to the site for assembly. This "plug-and-play" approach, closely associated with the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), significantly reduces on-site construction work and delays.
- Proactive Clearances and Procurement: A major source of delay in large infrastructure projects is the process of securing approvals. The new plan emphasizes obtaining all necessary regulatory and environmental clearances before any concrete is poured on-site. Additionally, the government will place orders for critical long-lead items—components that take a long time to manufacture—well in advance.
Boosting India's Nuclear Capacity
India currently operates 23 nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of approximately 7.5 gigawatts (GW). With 10 more reactors adding about 8 GW already under construction, this new, faster approach is set to significantly accelerate the country's journey toward its goal of having 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030. This strategic pivot positions nuclear power as a cornerstone of India's future energy security and its commitment to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
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