Nuclear energy push needs to be accompanied by human capital surge

Written by Saurabh Todi
The Union government is expected to introduce amendments to the nuclear liability law and the Atomic Energy Act in the upcoming monsoon session of parliament. This would be the first step towards delivering on the two significant commitments regarding the nuclear energy sector made in the Union Budget earlier this year.
Reports suggest that the amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, would effectively cap the liability of equipment vendors in the event of an accident, both in terms of limiting the monetary exposure to the original value of the contract. A time frame limitation on the applicability of this liability is also being proposed. Furthermore, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act are expected to enable private companies to enter the nuclear power industry as nuclear plant operators, possibly also allowing foreign companies to take minority equity stakes in nuclear power projects. These moves signal serious intent on the part of the government to deregulate the nuclear energy sector.
Given the contentious nature of these amendments, especially relating to the nuclear liability law, they are bound to generate significant public debate. Therefore, it is prudent to reserve a substantial chunk of analysis on the impact of these amendments until the actual drafts are available for public scrutiny. However, there is little doubt that the sector is gearing up for reform. Therefore, sustained and focused efforts must be made to ensure that the Indian industry, academia and public are well prepared to materialise India's nuclear ambitions.
In anticipation of the impending reforms and following the announcement of the National Nuclear Energy Mission, the Indian private sector is stepping up with significant investments and ambitious commitments towards the Indian nuclear energy sector. Interestingly, US regulators have granted regulatory approval to a US company to share small modular reactor (SMR) technology with Indian private players.
India's earlier effort to diversify the nuclear energy sector has also seen some success. India's atomic energy regulator recently consented to four Indian-designed 700 MWe pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) at Banswara, Rajasthan. This nuclear plant would be developed by Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd (Ashvini), which was incorporated as a 51:49 JV (joint venture) between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) following the 2015 amendment to the Atomic Energy Act that allowed PSUs to set up nuclear power projects jointly with NPCIL.
While efforts are being made to reform the nuclear energy sector and accelerate the construction of nuclear reactors, attention must be paid to building capacity and capability in allied sectors and domains, both upstream and downstream of the nuclear energy sector.
To increase the nuclear energy capacity tenfold by 2047, India will need not just reactors but a huge pipeline of skilled professionals: Construction workers, nuclear engineers, inspectors, regulators, and researchers. India's current capacity to train and supply such specialised manpower is limited, and a significant push is needed to prevent shortages from becoming a serious bottleneck in a few years. Therefore, human resource development related to the nuclear energy sector must be prioritised. This can be achieved through focusing on two major aspects.
First, incentives need to be provided to encourage students to enrol in specialised nuclear engineering and nuclear science programs. Currently, only a handful of universities in India offer these degrees. The University Grants Commission and the Department of Atomic Energy should cooperate to expand the availability of these degrees that can help train the skilled manpower needed to fuel India's nuclear ambitions.
Second, there is a significant need to upgrade the existing infrastructure in colleges and universities to support and meet the increased demand. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has the mandate and financial resources to address this bottleneck. Furthermore, given the private sector's interest and possible foreign participation, the scope for public-private partnership through the ANRF in the nuclear energy sector is immense.
Finally, public perception and safety are significant considerations for the nuclear energy sector, much more than other energy sources. As India seeks to expand the adoption of nuclear energy, efforts must also be made to sensitise the public about its benefits, the safety record of Indian nuclear plants, and advancements in reactor design to minimise proliferation risks. Reforming the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to make it an independent regulatory body would also be a notable step in this direction.
The potential of nuclear energy in India largely depends on the extent to which the sector is deregulated and opened to private and foreign participation. While the proposed amendments are necessary, they are not sufficient. Realising India's nuclear ambitions will require sustained, focused efforts.
The writer is a researcher associated with the Takshashila Institution, a policy think tank based in Bengaluru

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