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(IGP) GS Paper 1 - India & World Geography - "Nuclear Energy"

Integrated Guidance Programme of General Studies for IAS (Pre)

Overview

Nuclear energy contributes about 4.1% of power generation in India. The share of nuclear energy is expected to reach 9% by 2035.
Currently, there are 6 nuclear power plants generating about 4120 MW Power Station.
The largest nuclear power station in India is located in Tarapur, Maharastra. The largest research reactor is the Dhruva at the Babha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai.
Currently India uses two types of reactors for power production: Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), Boiling Water Reactor (BWR). Additionally the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor is under experiments at the Madras Kalpakkam.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) is the sole company authorised to set up nuclear power plants in India.

Australia has the largest reserves of Uranium in the world. Canada, which has the second largest reserves, is the largest exporter of Uranium.
India has limited availability of Uranium reserves in the country (about 1% of world availability).
The primary source of Uranium in India are the Jaduguda mines in Jharkhand. Uranium is extracted in the form of “Yellow Cake”.
However, Thorium is widely available in the world. Worldwide, Thorium is about three times as abundant Uanium.
India has about 25% of the world’s reserves of Thorium.
In India, Throium is commonly found in the form of the mineral Monazite in the beach sands of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The waiver of restrictions on nuclear fuel supply by the Nuclear Suppliers Group in Sep 2008 has increased India’s opportunities for importing nuclear fuel (esp. Uranium).
India now has nuclear supply agreements with France (Sep 2008), the US (Sep 2008), the EU Nov 2009), Canada (Nov 2009) and Russia (Dec 2009).

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) functions directly under the Prime Minister. The Department was established in 1958.
The DAE is responsible for all nuclear technology in India, including nuclear power and nuclear research.
The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) function under the DAE. The Commission was established in 1948, but moved to the Dept. of Atomic Energy in 1958.

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Established 1971, location Hyderabad.
Responsible for enrichment and supply of nuclear fuel for all nuclear power plants in the country.
Also responsible for manufacturer of reactor core components.
The NFC processes both Uranium concentrates (for nuclear fuel) and Zirconium (for reactor components).

Established 1967, headquarters Singhbhum (Jharkhand)
Responsbile for extraction and processing of uranium
It primary responsibility is the extraction of Thorium (in the form of monazite) for use in nuclear industry.
All five uranium mines are located in Singhbum district of Jharkhand
Jaduguda mine - oldest mine, commissioned 1967
Bhatin mine
Narwapahar mine -0 latest mine, commissioned 1995
Turamdih mine
Banduhurang mine - only open pit uranium min
India produces about 300 tonnes a year of uranium

Established 1950, headquarters Mumbai
Responsible for extraction of minerals from beach sands
It primary responsibility is the extraction of Thorium (in the form of monazite) for use in nuclear industry.
Operates four mineral extraction units
Aluva (Kerala)
Chavara (Kerala)
Manavalakurichi (Tamil Nadu)
Chatrapur Orissa)

Established as the Atomic Energy Establishment Trombay in 1957. Located in Mumbai
It is India’s first and primary nuclear research facility
Site of CIRUS reactor (Canada-India-US Research)
Developed Dhruva reactor (1958) - largest research reactor in the country

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