India panel calls for faster nuclear approvals and fuel security in order to reach 100 GW goal

India's nuclear projects should be accelerated, it should secure long-term uranium fuel supplies, and it needs to expand its reprocessing capabilities, according to a report by a panel appointed by the government.

India is easing rules to end the decades-old state monopoly, and to remove a strict liability provision in order to attract foreign technology suppliers and to encourage private participation. The country aims to reach 100 gigawatts in nuclear power by 2047, compared to the current 8.88GW.

The panel, which was formed by the Ministry of Power said that the time between site approval and nuclear reactor commissioning, currently 11-12 years, must be reduced. This can be achieved through a faster acquisition of land and clearance of regulatory issues.

The report recommends that new nuclear projects be built on existing sites, and the thermal plants at those locations should be retired.

The panel recommended that India increase domestic uranium mines, acquire mines overseas, open up uranium supply and fuel manufacturing to private companies, and stockpile enough fuel to last up to 60 years for its reactors.

The government also supported the reprocessing spent fuel.

The committee recommended that India also use newer and more advanced reactors imported from abroad.

The committee recommended that the government change the pool of nuclear insurance to provide 15 billion rupees (169 million dollars) per incident and per operator instead of the current caps for total liability per year across all installations.

(source: Reuters)