Assessment and demand projection of Indian nuclear energy sector
Student name: Ms Somrita Bera
Guide: Dr Smriti Das
Year of completion: 2011
Host Organisation: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr H.K. Hedaoo
Abstract:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Today, one by one and in ever increasing numbers, governments around the world are embracing nuclear
power as fundamental to their strategies of national energy security and global environmental
responsibility. In so doing, they are responding to an imperative that is gaining ever greater cogency on
every continent.
After assessing the human and environmental realities around them, national leaders are recognizing that
nuclear energy today represents nothing less than an indispensable asset if our world is to meet what
must be recognized as the greatest challenge in human history.
In the coming forty years the world population will reach more than 9 billion and consumption of
electricity will double than the combined total used now. With the ongoing patterns of energy use, the
results will prove calamitous. The constant increment in pollution will damage or ruin the health of tens
and likely hundreds of millions of citizens, mainly in the developing world. Moreover the intensifying
concentration of greenhouse gases will take past a point of no return as we hurdle toward climate
catastrophe.
Therefore the capacity addition of power plan programme encourages the nuclear sector to fulfill the
demand of power by 25% by 2032.Among multiple players that are in power generation sector, BHEL
has embarked upon a massive expansion programme to enhance its manufacturing capacity to 20,000
MW by 2012 and its foray into nuclear power equipment production such as generators, turbines and
nuclear reactors along with joint venture partners. The company’s order book now stands at 45,000 MW.
In so doing, they stand on sound ground or under fair and dispassionate examination; nuclear power is
indeed no less than the quintessential energy resource for sustainable development. The fuel will be
readily available for multiple centuries and also its presence confers energy autonomy. Also the safety
record is superior among major energy sources. The fuel consumption causes virtually no pollution or
greenhouse gases and its use preserves fossil resources for future generations. Its capacities are scalable,
from smaller reactors to large and costs are becoming competitive and declining. The waste can be
secured over the long-term. Most importantly the operations are manageable in developed & as well as in
developing nations.
However the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan is sending shockwaves through
nuclear planning agencies around the world. Policy makers are thus asking for reviews of safety
regulations, publics are expressing concern. Overcoming those barriers and thereby educating and
enhancing the knowledge of public for making space for nuclear so as to make more contribution for
mitigation of carbon emission of the country would provide India to overcome its energy poverty.
Over the years, BHEL in Nuclear field has matured enough and can meet the growing demand.
Moreover BHEL is also showing an augmentation in the nuclear power projects by contributing the
maximum. It has also gained many technology tie-ups with foreign nuclear players for manufacturing
advanced nuclear sets. The business potential in coming years for BHEL seems to be extravagant in terms
of profitability. Therefore to tap the huge business potential, urgent need to create coastal facilities for
manufacturing of Primary Side and Secondary Side components and equipments for higher size Nuclear
Power Plants coming under foreign co-operation. Therefore there is an immediate need to finalize
technology partner for manufacturing of secondary side equipment either through collaboration route or
JVC route.
