Spent fuel management in India

Abstract

The Indian nuclear story is different from the rest of the nuclear power producing countries largely due to the unique nuclear energy path the country has chosen. The issues regarding the resultant spent nuclear fuel are also accordingly different. Based on the ideology of self‐dependence, India adopted a three‐stage nuclear energy program which envisages reprocessing spent fuel aimed at the final utilization of the vast amount of thorium reserves in the country. The nuclear test of 1974 and the country’s subsequent nuclear isolation furthered this technology innovation. At present, nuclear energy contributes a mere 3% (approximately) of the total energy produced in the country. Since the program is very small, high level waste (HLW) after reprocessing is very minimal and its management at present does not pose any major concerns. But with India’s rapid economic growth, access to electricity is becoming crucial and nuclear energy is viewed as a promising source to meet future demand. The government is envisaging substantial raising of nuclear power production in the next couple of decades. With the objective of expanding nuclear energy production, India in 2008 came out of nuclear isolation through a special agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the USA, and Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) countries that allows members of the nuclear club to undertake nuclear trade with India. While we are not certain what shape India’s nuclear energy program will take, it is certain that the proposed expansion plan will lead to HLW becoming a concern in the future.