The Report captures the long journey of nuclear power in India presenting the interesting risk-reward balance posed by this power source, and how that has led to differential adoption strategies. Arguing that India has placed its bets on a nuclear future with 100 GW capacity planned by 2025, it outlines the several issues which plague the sector – lengthy implementation timelines, high capital costs, endless approvals, limited fuel supply, and an institutional-legal framework in need of reform. Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) programme addresses some of these issues by putting up high entry barriers and securing demand by mandating captive use. Yet, many more reforms are needed, and the balance of risks should tilt further away from the private party. Encouragingly, many private players have shown interest, and if the dream is realised the Rs. 17 trn atom could be split by multiple stakeholders in the chain.
