India aims to attract domestic investments in its regulated nuclear sector to promote clean power.
Atomic Energy Act, 1962
- The Atomic Energy Act restricts private ownership of nuclear plants.
- The central government retains control over the production, development, use, and disposal of atomic energy.
- Legislative amendments allow government-established entities to exercise these powers, with the government holding at least 51% of the share capital.
Role of Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL)
- NPCIL can form joint ventures with other public sector units to fund new projects.
- Private and foreign companies are excluded from direct investment but can participate in certain activities such as component supply.
Contribution to Clean Energy Goals
- India’s emphasis on nuclear capacity aligns with its clean energy objectives.
- Both ‘green’ and ‘pink’ hydrogen, produced through electrolysis, offer avenues for emission-free energy.
Potential of Nuclear Power in Hydrogen Production
- Nuclear power enables large-scale hydrogen production without greenhouse gas emissions.
- ‘Pink’ hydrogen, powered by nuclear energy, offers high capacity factor and potential for significant hydrogen production despite higher costs.
Industrial Applications of Nuclear Power
- High temperatures from nuclear reactors can be utilized in various industrial processes.
- Significant investments are required to develop and scale up related technologies.
Future Directions
- Amending the Atomic Energy Act to facilitate private investments is proposed.
- Future collaborations may focus on research, technology transfer, and scaling up hydrogen projects, aligning with India’s net-zero transition goals.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What does the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, primarily regulate in India?
- a) Private ownership of nuclear plants
- b) Government’s control over atomic energy
- c) Foreign investments in nuclear projects
- d) Licensing of nuclear reactors
- Answer: b) Government’s control over atomic energy
- Which entity is permitted to form joint ventures for funding new nuclear projects in India?
- a) Private companies
- b) Foreign corporations
- c) Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL)
- d) Renewable energy firms
- Answer: c) Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL)
- What is ‘pink’ hydrogen?
- a) Hydrogen produced using renewable energy
- b) Hydrogen generated through steam-methane reforming
- c) Hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by nuclear energy
- d) Hydrogen extracted from natural gas
- Answer: c) Hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by nuclear energy
- What is a potential advantage of ‘pink’ hydrogen over ‘green’ hydrogen?
- a) Lower production costs
- b) Higher capacity factor
- c) Easier scalability
- d) Reduced carbon footprint
- Answer: b) Higher capacity factor
- Besides electricity generation, what is another potential industrial application of nuclear power mentioned in the passage?
- a) Water desalination
- b) Agricultural irrigation
- c) Wind turbine manufacturing
- d) Solar panel production
- Answer: a) Water desalination