A new nuclear energy bill, approved by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, was tabled in Parliament earlier in the week by Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh.
The legislation seeks to open India’s nuclear power sector to greater private participation. It proposes allowing private firms to run nuclear power plants, revises the existing framework on supplier liability for fuel and technology, and streamlines compensation norms to be applied in the event of a nuclear accident.
The move is aimed at attracting fresh investment into nuclear energy as India works toward its long term objective of building 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047, as highlighted in earlier reports.
Until now, nuclear power generation in India has largely remained the domain of public sector entities, with limited scope for joint ventures. The proposed law significantly widens this scope by permitting any eligible company or joint venture to build, own, operate, or decommission nuclear reactors and plants in the country. Such entities would be required to secure licences after receiving safety clearances related to radiation exposure.
Under the provisions of the bill, permission may be granted to departments of the central government, government owned institutions or corporations, public sector companies, private firms, joint ventures among these entities, or any other party specifically authorised by the central government through notification to undertake nuclear activities.
The statement of objectives attached to the legislation also outlines the introduction of what it terms a more practical civil liability framework for nuclear damage. It further proposes changes to the Patents Act to enable the granting of patents linked to atomic energy technologies.
In addition, the bill seeks to repeal the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, while removing a controversial provision from the liability law that has long been a point of debate within the industry.
