Steps to rope in pvt players in nuclear energy sector

THE Centre has taken steps to open the nuclear sector to private investment in line with the announcement made in the budget of July 2024 and as part of a strategic move to signal positively to international partners, including the US.

- JAYANTH JACOB @ New Delhi

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), country's sole nuclear power operator, has issued a request for proposals (RFP), inviting Indian industries to finance and construct a proposed fleet of 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) for captive use and selling the power as per government rules, the PSU stated.

March 31 is the last date for submitting the proposals. The setting up of nuclear reactors also aligns with the government's zero-emission target for 2070 by reducing the carbon footprint, officials said. Nuclear power is not a renewable energy source, but it is a zero-emission clean energy source.