Nuclear energy is a story of more frisson than fission

Decarbonizing our power grid may demand an atomic thrust but our record calls for caution amid the hype

- SOUMYA SARKAR

As India's energy transition gathers pace, nuclear power is being positioned by its champions as the anchor of a decarbonized power grid capable of supporting economic growth. The government is aiming for 100 gigawatts (GW) of capacity by 2047, up from 8.2GW today, with supporters of nuclear power projecting it as the backbone of our transition to clean energy. Yet, as the announcement-heavy and progress-light decades behind us show, translating this vision into reality is a tough test.

Undeniably, nuclear power has virtues unmatched by rival technologies. Capacity factors typically exceed 80%, delivering electricity untroubled by monsoons or dust storms. The land footprint is modest compared with solar or wind installations, and life-cycle emissions rank among the lowest of any energy source. For planners who need to replace dependence on coal-fired plants with clean sources without sacrificing grid stability, nuclear appears to be well-suited, at least in theory. India's nuclear energy mission, detailed in the Union budget for 2025-26, earmarks investments for large and small modular reactors, while opening doors for private and multilateral capital. Conglomerates like the Jindal, Adani, Tata and Reliance groups have promised resources and multilateral funders like the World Bank have reversed exclusions on nuclear investment. These moves mark a turning point.