Budget 2024: For The 1st Time, Private Sector Allowed to Invest in Atomic Energy
NDTV
In a big announcement, the private sector has been allowed to partner in setting up nuclear plants for the first time.
India's atomic energy got a positive nudge today with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying, "Nuclear energy is expected to form a very significant part of the energy mix for Viksit Bharat." India is now set to develop small reactors and conduct research to develop small modular reactors. In another big announcement, the private sector has been allowed to partner in setting up nuclear plants for the first time.
The NITI Aayog has been urging the government to look at small reactors more seriously. "Private sector being permitted is a big new opening," says VK Saraswat, Member of Science and Technology at NITI Aayog. "I am very happy to see the government has accepted the further development of small reactors since atomic energy has a very low carbon footprint and offers assured base power supply," he adds.
Bhuvan Chandra Pathak, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Mumbai also warmed up to the move. "It is a very welcome move that the private sector will be permitted to partner in the development of atomic energy," he said.
