Relevance: GS Paper 3 (Energy Security & Infrastructure) | Source: The Hindu / PIB

India has set a massive goal: to increase its nuclear power from just 8,000 MW today to 1,00,000 MW (100 GW) by 2047. To fund and build this dream, the government passed a historic law called the SHANTI Act, 2025. For the first time ever, private companies are allowed to generate nuclear electricity in India.

1. What is the SHANTI Act? 

For decades, nuclear energy was a strict government monopoly. The new law changes the rules:

• Private Entry Allowed: Private and foreign companies can now build, own, and run civilian nuclear power plants to sell electricity.
• Old Roadblocks Removed: Old laws that scared away investors by forcing them to pay unlimited accident costs have been scrapped.
• A Stronger Watchdog: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is now an independent, powerful legal body. Its only job is to ensure strict public safety.
• Weapons Stay with the State: Private companies will only boil water to make electricity. Sensitive tasks like making nuclear weapons and enriching uranium remain strictly under government control.

2. Why the Sudden Push for Nuclear?

If solar and wind energy are growing fast, why do we need nuclear power?

• The “24/7 Power” Problem: Solar panels sleep at night, and wind turbines stop when the air is still. Renewables cannot give us guaranteed electricity every single second of the day.
• Replacing Dirty Coal: Right now, polluting coal gives us 75% of our non-stop power. To meet our Net-Zero goal by 2070, we must shut down coal. Nuclear is the only clean energy source that runs 24/7 without stopping.
• Saving Land: To power a rising superpower, we need massive electricity. Solar parks require 10 times more land than a nuclear plant. In a crowded country like India, saving land is crucial for farming.

3. How Will We Reach the 100 GW Target?

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Traditional nuclear plants take 10 years and huge money to build. The government is now focusing on SMRs—smaller, cheaper, factory-built reactors that can be set up in a fraction of the time.
• Captive Power for Factories: Big industries (like steel or cement plants) can now buy and run their own small nuclear reactors to get non-stop green power.
• The Thorium Dream: India has very little Uranium but the world’s largest reserves of Thorium (found in beach sand). The government is boosting research to finally use our own Thorium to generate power.

4. The Hurdles to Cross

• The Radioactive Waste: Nuclear waste remains dangerous for thousands of years. The law must clearly state whether the private company or the government will take the final responsibility of safely burying this waste.
• Public Fear: People are naturally scared of nuclear plants near their homes. Winning the trust of local villagers is the biggest challenge.
• Safety Zones: Current rules require large, empty spaces around nuclear plants. If we build smaller SMRs near private factories, these safety distance rules will need to be carefully rewritten.

One Line Wrap (/Conclusion)

By moving nuclear power out of government secrecy and into the commercial market, India is securing a clean, non-stop energy lifeline for its future generations.

“To resolve its Energy Trilemma and meet the Net-Zero 2070 targets, India must transition its nuclear sector from a state monopoly to a commercially viable industry.” Discuss this in light of the recently passed SHANTI Act. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Mains Answer Hint:

• Intro: Define the goal (100 GW by 2047) and introduce the SHANTI Act, 2025 as the law ending the state monopoly on nuclear power.
• Body: * The Logic (Why Nuclear): Explain the “Energy Trilemma”. Solar/wind cannot give 24/7 power; coal must be phased out for Net-Zero 2070. Private money is needed because the government cannot fund it alone.
  • The Strategy: Mention Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), private captive power, and tapping domestic Thorium.
  • The Challenges: Discuss the need for a Nuclear Insurance Pool, the dangers of radioactive waste management, and overcoming public fear.
• Conclusion: Conclude that while private entry solves the funding problem, absolute safety enforced by an independent AERB is non-negotiable to win public trust.