le nucléaire indien

[energy_isere]

India plans to end state monopoly on uranium mining
This strategic move is aimed at supporting the country's ambitious plan to increase nuclear power production capacity twelvefold by 2047.

August 14, 2025

The Indian Government is preparing to end a long-standing state monopoly over its nuclear sector by allowing private companies to mine, import and process uranium, reported Reuters, citing government sources.

This strategic move is aimed at supporting the country’s ambitious plan to increase nuclear power production capacity twelvefold by 2047, which would account for 5% of India’s total power needs.

Until now, the state has exclusively controlled uranium mining, imports and processing due to concerns over nuclear material misuse, radiation safety and strategic security.

However, the government will maintain control over the reprocessing of spent uranium fuel and managing plutonium waste, aligning with global practices.

To address the anticipated surge in nuclear fuel demand, the government is developing a regulatory framework to permit private Indian companies to engage in the uranium sector.

The policy is expected to be made public within the current fiscal year and will also allow private entities to supply critical control system equipment for nuclear power plants.

India’s estimated uranium reserves of 76,000 tonnes (t) could fuel 10,000 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power for 30 years, according to government data.

However, domestic resources are projected to meet only around 25% of the increased demand, necessitating imports and an expansion of processing capabilities.

While announcing the budget earlier this year, the government revealed its plans to open the sector, without providing detailed information. This reportedly prompted major Indian conglomerates to start formulating investment plans.

To facilitate private participation, New Delhi is required need to amend five laws, including those governing mining, electricity sectors and foreign direct investment policies.

Last month, India unveiled a strategic plan to incentivise foreign companies to establish smelters and refineries, aiming to boost copper production and reduce import dependency by 2047.

This includes incentives for state-owned Indian companies to invest in the mining operations of foreign entities.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... g/?cf-view

[energy_isere]

Lancement du projet de centrale nucléaire Mahi Banswara comprenant 4 réacteurs de 700 MWe :

PM Modi inaugurates Mahi Banswara nuclear project

Thursday, 25 September 2025

The four-unit Mahi Banswara plant is one of a host of central and state governmental projects ceremonially inaugurated by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajasthan.


The Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project will comprise four 700 MWe pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) designed by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), and is part of India's fleet mode initiative to build ten identical 700 MWe reactors at various locations across India under uniform design and procurement plans, an approach the Indian government says will bring in cost efficiencies and speed deployment, while consolidating operational expertise.

The Mahi Banswara units are to be developed under Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd (Ashvini), a joint venture between NPCIL and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). Formation of the 51% NPCIL:49% NTPC joint venture set up to construct, own and operate nuclear power plants in India received approval from the government last year.

Earlier this year, India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) gave its consent to NPCIL for the siting of the reactors, near the village of Napla, the first major stage in its licensing process for a nuclear facility. That consent was transferred to Ashvini earlier this month.

The other reactors that make up the ten planned units are Kaiga units 5 and 6 (in Karnataka), Gorakhpur units 3 and 4 (Haryana), and Chutka units 1 and 2 (Madhyar Pradesh). Two 700 MWe PHWR units at Kakrapar, in Gujurat, are already in commercial operation. Another, Rajasthan unit 7, was connected to the grid in March, and construction is ongoing on Rajasthan unit 8.

The foundation stone laying ceremony in Banswara saw the Prime Minister inaugurate some INR1,22,100 crore (USD18.8 billion - 1 crore is 10 million) of projects. As well as the nuclear power plant, these included INR19,210 crore of solar projects and three power transmission projects worth over INR13,180 crore, as well as substations and other infrastructure projects.

"In today's era of technology and industry, development runs on the power of electricity; electricity brings light, speed, progress, connectivity, and global access," Modi said at the ceremony. For any nation to achieve rapid development in the 21st century, it must scale up its electricity generation, he said - and the most successful countries will be those leading in clean energy. "Our government is transforming the clean energy mission into a people's movement", he added.

https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/arti ... ar-project