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India’s Parliament Approves Historic Privatization of Nuclear Power Sector
India’s Parliament has approved groundbreaking legislation that opens the country’s tightly controlled civil nuclear power sector to private companies, marking a significant shift in a domain that has been under exclusive state control for decades. The legislation passed the lower house on Wednesday and received upper house approval on Thursday, with only the president’s formal assent remaining before implementation.
The government has framed this policy change as essential to accelerating clean energy expansion in the world’s most populous nation. Junior Minister Jitendra Singh, who oversees the Department of Atomic Energy, told lawmakers that the bill—officially called Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India—aims to modernize India’s nuclear framework to align with current technological, economic, and energy realities.
“India’s role in geopolitics is increasing. And if we have to be a global player effectively, we have to live up to global benchmarks, follow global parameters and adopt global strategies,” Singh said, emphasizing the legislation’s importance in addressing the country’s growing energy demands.
The reform carries significant international implications as India positions itself as a major player in the next generation of nuclear energy development, including small modular reactors. This comes at a time when many nations are reassessing nuclear power to meet climate targets and reduce fossil fuel dependency.
Energy experts note that India has recently pledged over $2 billion for nuclear research and related activities, underscoring its commitment to expanding this sector. The country has set an ambitious target of installing 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047—enough to power approximately 60 million Indian homes annually.
“It marks a momentous milestone for India and signals capable private sector players that the country is open for business in the nuclear energy space,” said Karthik Ganesan, director of strategic partnerships at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a New Delhi-based think tank.
The legislation comes against the backdrop of India’s challenging energy landscape. As one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, the country still generates over 75% of its electricity from fossil fuels, primarily coal. Energy experts argue that for global transition away from carbon-polluting fuels, reliable sources like nuclear that don’t depend on variable conditions—unlike solar and wind—are essential.
However, opposition parties have raised significant concerns about the bill’s provisions. Despite requests to refer the legislation to a parliamentary committee for detailed examination, the government proceeded with the approval process. Critics argue that the bill dilutes critical safety and liability safeguards that have been cornerstones of India’s nuclear regulatory framework.
Ashok Mittal, a lawmaker from the opposition Aam Admi Party, told The Associated Press: “The bill doesn’t have sufficient safeguards when it comes to mitigating the bad health of those impacted by living in areas closer to nuclear plants.”
Anti-nuclear activist G. Sundarrajan described the legislation as a “disastrous law,” claiming it removes essential safeguards needed to ensure companies invest adequately in safety measures. “It also provides little recourse for any Indian citizen to claim damages from nuclear companies even if they are affected by radiation leaks or suffer from any other health impact as a result of a nuclear plant in their region,” he warned.
These concerns highlight the ongoing tension between India’s energy ambitions and public safety considerations. Despite the government’s enthusiasm, some energy analysts remain skeptical about India’s nuclear targets, pointing to the sector’s currently small footprint and persistent negative public perceptions about nuclear energy.
As India moves forward with this significant policy shift, the balance between accelerating clean energy deployment and maintaining rigorous safety standards will likely remain a subject of intense debate among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public.
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10 Comments
India’s decision to privatize its nuclear power industry is a bold step. It will be crucial to ensure a level playing field for all operators and maintain high safety standards across the sector.
Absolutely, public-private partnership in nuclear energy could be a game-changer for India’s clean energy goals, but implementation will be key.
India’s decision to allow private firms in the nuclear power sector is an interesting development. It could drive growth, but the government will need to ensure a robust regulatory environment.
Absolutely, this is a high-stakes move that requires careful planning and execution. Maintaining high safety standards should be the top concern as private participation increases.
This is a significant move by India to open up its nuclear power sector. It could accelerate clean energy capacity, but strong regulatory frameworks must be in place to mitigate risks.
Agreed, the potential benefits of private involvement are clear, but safety must remain the top priority. Robust oversight will be crucial as this policy is implemented.
Interesting move to open up India’s nuclear power sector to private firms. This could accelerate clean energy expansion, but will require careful oversight and regulation to ensure safety standards are maintained.
Agree, private sector involvement could drive innovation and investment, but the government must balance progress with robust safety protocols.
Allowing private firms into India’s nuclear power industry could drive innovation and investment, but oversight is critical to prevent safety lapses. Curious to see how this policy unfolds.
The government will need to strike a careful balance between promoting private participation and enforcing stringent safety regulations. Careful planning will be essential.