With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy.

India's current installed nuclear capacity is approximately 8.78 GW, contributing about 3% to the country's total electricity generation. India has set an ambitious target to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

Facts Supporting Nuclear Expansion:

• Energy Security: Nuclear power drastically reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels and insulates the economy from global supply chain disruptions.
• Reliable Baseload Power: Unlike solar and wind, which are intermittent, a nuclear plant provides continuous 24/7 power, making it an essential grid stabiliser.
• Supports renewable integration: Nuclear energy can complement solar and wind by providing stable power when renewable generation is low.
• Economic Multiplier: Once constructed, nuclear plants have long lifespans (40-60 years) with very low marginal generation costs.
• Technological self-reliance: India's 3-stage nuclear program is designed to eventually leverage its vast Thorium reserves, which would provide centuries of domestic energy sovereignty.
• Land-efficient: Nuclear plants require far less land per unit of electricity generated compared to large solar or wind parks.
• Reduced air pollution: Replacing coal-based power with nuclear energy can reduce particulate pollution, SOx, NOx and associated public-health costs.
• Decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors: Nuclear energy can provide process heat and clean power for steel, aluminium, chemicals, fertilisers and hydrogen production.
• Climate Commitments: Nuclear energy produces zero greenhouse gases during operation, which is vital for India meeting its Net Zero by 2070 target and fulfilling COP28 pledges.
• Wider developmental benefits: Nuclear research supports cancer treatment, radioisotopes, food irradiation, crop improvement, water desalination and scientific research.

Associated Fears and Challenges:

• Safety risks: Memories of disasters like Chornobyl and Fukushima drive public apprehension about radiation exposure and major accidents.
• High capital costs: Nuclear projects require massive upfront investments (₹12-15 crore per MW) and long gestation periods (10-15 years), which often lead to cost overruns.
• Uranium supply dependence: Nuclear power reduces fossil-fuel imports, but India still depends partly on imported uranium until the thorium cycle matures.
• Radioactive waste: Spent nuclear fuel remains hazardous for thousands of years, and the lack of permanent deep geological repositories remains a major environmental challenge.
• Water scarcity: Nuclear reactors require massive amounts of water for cooling, which strains local water resources in drought-prone or heavily agricultural regions.
• Climate risks to nuclear plants: Coastal plants face risks from cyclones, sea-level rise, flooding and thermal stress.
• Strategic and security risks: Nuclear facilities need strong protection against cyberattacks, sabotage, terrorism and proliferation-related concerns.
• Public opposition: Land acquisition and local displacement fears often lead to protests and delays.

Expanding nuclear energy is critical for India's energy security and net-zero commitments. Anchored by policy reforms like the SHANTI Act, Nuclear power is a reliable, zero-emission baseload alternative to coal that can support India’s rapidly growing $5-trillion economy.