India’s Nuclear Energy Expansion Initiative: A Strategic Move Towards Sustainable Development

Project Overview

The Government of India has initiated a preliminary assessment for the conversion of ten decommissioned or aging thermal power plant sites into modern nuclear power facilities. This strategic repurposing of existing energy infrastructure is currently in a tentative phase, pending comprehensive evaluation by a dedicated site selection committee. This committee, which includes representatives from the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), will conduct a thorough analysis before any final decisions are made.

Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This initiative is fundamentally aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting India’s commitment to a sustainable and resilient future.

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The project directly supports the transition to clean, low-carbon energy sources by replacing fossil fuel-based power plants. This contributes to increasing the share of renewable and clean energy in the national energy mix and ensuring access to reliable power.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By shifting from thermal to nuclear power, a non-intermittent and carbon-free energy source, India is taking significant action to combat climate change and reduce its national greenhouse gas emissions.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The plan involves building resilient, next-generation energy infrastructure. The exploration of advanced technologies, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), fosters innovation and upgrades the nation’s industrial and technological capacity.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Repurposing existing “brownfield” industrial sites minimizes the need for new land acquisition, reducing the environmental footprint of infrastructure development and promoting sustainable land use.

Key Project Details and Considerations

The selection and development process is guided by stringent criteria and technological flexibility to ensure safety, efficiency, and suitability.

Identified Locations

1. Ten tentative sites, previously housing thermal power plants, have been identified across various states for initial consideration.

Site Selection Criteria

• Seismic stability of the region.
• Sufficient and sustainable availability of water for cooling purposes.
• Safe distance from densely populated areas.
• Existing infrastructure and grid connectivity.

Technological Exploration

• The Indian Power Ministry is assessing a range of nuclear power generation technologies.
• Consideration is being given to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and other advanced reactor designs based on the specific space, resource, and safety parameters of each potential site.

National Energy Targets and Future Outlook

This project is a critical component of India’s long-term vision for nuclear energy capacity expansion, aimed at securing the nation’s energy future while adhering to climate goals.

• Current Capacity (End of 2024): 8.2 GW
• Mid-Term Objective (by 2032): 22 GW
• Long-Term Ambition (by 2047): Up to 100 GW

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• The article focuses on India’s plan to develop nuclear power plants, which is a form of low-carbon, clean energy. This initiative aims to shift away from fossil fuel-based thermal power, directly contributing to the goal of providing clean energy.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The project involves a significant infrastructure transformation by converting “10 old or decommissioned thermal power plant sites” into modern nuclear facilities. It also mentions exploring innovative technologies like “SMR’s” (Small Modular Reactors), which points to upgrading infrastructure with advanced and sustainable technology.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• By replacing thermal power plants (a major source of greenhouse gas emissions) with nuclear power, the initiative serves as a direct measure to combat climate change. The plan is part of a larger national strategy to decarbonize the energy sector.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The plan to replace thermal plants with nuclear power directly supports increasing the share of clean, low-carbon energy in India’s national energy mix.
2. Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The article points to this by mentioning the exploration and potential “installation of different nuclear power generation technologies, such as SMR’s,” which represents an investment in advanced clean energy infrastructure.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

1. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… with greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The core idea of the article, to “convert” old thermal power plants into nuclear power plants, is a direct example of this target in action.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article explicitly states India’s “ambition to install up to 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047” as a long-term national plan, demonstrating the integration of climate action into energy strategy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 7 and SDG 13

• Installed Nuclear Power Capacity: The article provides specific, quantifiable metrics to measure progress. These include the current capacity (“8.2 GW at the end of 2024”), the mid-term goal (“22 GW by 2032”), and the long-term ambition (“up to 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047”). These figures serve as direct indicators of the increase in clean energy generation capacity.

Indicators for SDG 9

• Number of Retrofitted Infrastructure Sites: The article mentions that “10 old or decommissioned thermal power plant sites” have been selected. The number of these sites that are successfully converted over time can be used as a tangible indicator of progress in upgrading national infrastructure.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: enerdata.net