Centre Reviews 100 GW Nuclear Mission to Boost Clean Energy Goals
In a significant move to accelerate the country’s clean energy transition, the Indian government has convened a high-level meeting to review the 100 GW Nuclear Energy Mission. The meeting, held on Friday, was jointly chaired by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh. This development comes on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious target to expand India’s clean energy basket and reaffirms the country’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions.
The 100 GW Nuclear Energy Mission is a critical component of India’s clean energy strategy, aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. The mission envisions a significant increase in nuclear power generation capacity, which will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance energy security and reduce reliance on imported fuels.
The meeting, which brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Atomic Energy, and other key stakeholders, focused on outlining key directives to achieve the 100 GW Nuclear Energy Mission. The deliberations revolved around various aspects, including the current status of nuclear power generation, challenges faced by the sector, and strategies to overcome them.
One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the emphasis on the need to overcome the existing challenges in the nuclear power sector. These challenges include the shortage of skilled manpower, inadequate funding, and bureaucratic hurdles, which have hindered the growth of the sector. To address these challenges, the government has announced plans to invest in human resource development, infrastructure development, and policy reforms.
Another significant aspect of the meeting was the focus on the role of nuclear power in India’s energy mix. The government has emphasized the need to increase the share of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix, which currently stands at around 3.5%. The aim is to increase this share to at least 10% by 2030, which will require a significant increase in nuclear power generation capacity.
The meeting also discussed the importance of international cooperation in achieving the 100 GW Nuclear Energy Mission. The government has emphasized the need to collaborate with international partners to access advanced nuclear technologies, share best practices, and address common challenges. This includes cooperation with countries like France, Russia, and the United States, which have already made significant strides in nuclear power generation.
The 100 GW Nuclear Energy Mission is not only critical for India’s clean energy goals but also has significant economic and strategic implications. The mission is expected to create employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and enhance India’s energy security. Furthermore, it will also help India to reduce its dependence on imported fuels, which will have a positive impact on the country’s trade balance.
The government’s commitment to achieving the 100 GW Nuclear Energy Mission is also reflected in the recently announced “National Mission on Augmentation of Capacity and Transmission (NM-ACT)”. This mission aims to add 10,000 MW of nuclear power capacity by 2030 and will require an investment of around ₹50,000 crore. The mission will also focus on enhancing transmission infrastructure, upgrading existing power plants, and promoting nuclear safety and security.
In conclusion, the high-level meeting on the 100 GW Nuclear Energy Mission is a significant step forward in India’s clean energy transition. The meeting has outlined key directives to achieve the mission, which includes overcoming existing challenges, increasing the share of nuclear power in the energy mix, and promoting international cooperation. The mission has significant economic and strategic implications and is critical for India’s clean energy goals. As the country moves forward with this mission, it is essential to ensure that it is implemented in a way that balances economic, environmental, and social considerations.
News Source:
https://investmentguruindia.com/newsdetail/centre-outlines-key-directives-towards-100-gw-nuclear-energy-mission307337
