NUCLEAR PLANTS REQUIRE LIFETIME COMMITMENT

NEWS: India has passed the SHANTI Act 2025

CONTEXT

• Aim: Expand nuclear energy sector and allow private participation
• Experts warn that nuclear power requires long-term (lifetime) commitment in:
  • Safety
  • Waste management
  • Financial liability

SHANTI Act, 2025

• Full Form–> Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India
• Objective–> Increase nuclear capacity from: 8.7 GW → 100 GW by 2047
• Allows: Private companies to operate nuclear plants+ Foreign investment in nuclear sector

Nuclear Power Needs “Lifetime Commitment”

• Key Reason–> Nuclear plants operate for very long durations (40–60+ years)
• Responsibilities of Operators
  • Safety & security
  • Waste management (radioactive waste)
  • Compensation for radiation damage
  • Decommissioning (closing plant safely)

Role of Licensee

• As per SHANTI Act: Operator (licensee) is fully responsible for:
  • Safety, Security, Compliance
  • Important Rule–> Must maintain: Design support for entire lifetime
  • Nuclear systems are complex → changes in one-part affect others

Role of Institutions

• Atomic Energy Commission → Policy guidance
• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited → Currently main operator
• Atomic Energy Regulatory Board → Safety regulation

Key Risks Highlighted

• Lack of design support → unsafe upgrades
• Complex systems → interconnected failures
• High cost ofà Waste management, Safety compliance, Decommissioning
• Regulatory Risks: Strict safety reviews every 10 years