India expands nuclear power programme to strengthen energy security

India is currently operating 24 nuclear power reactors across seven sites with a total installed capacity of 8.78 Gigawatt. Ten more reactor units with a combined capacity of eight thousand Megawatt are under construction. These reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, Boiling Water Reactors and Light Water Reactors. The country is mainly using natural uranium fuel to run the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors to produce nuclear energy. The government said that India is steadily expanding its nuclear power programme to strengthen energy security and support clean economic growth.

A major outcome of the 3rd India-Australia Annual summit, which was held in Melbourne last week, was the finalisation of the Administrative Arrangement under the India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. It enables long-term exports of Australian uranium to India for peaceful purposes. The Australian uranium will ensure a steady supply of the primary fuel to run these nuclear power reactors.