India sets sights on easier N-plant site selection

New Delhi: India is looking to simplify site selection process for setting up new nuclear power plants, as part of an ambitious effort to boost atomic energy generation, said people familiar with the development.

The government is exploring the possibility of moving to a simplified checklist-based approach for approving locations of nuclear power projects, the people told ET. Discussions are on to see if the Site Selection Committee framework of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) can be simplified to cut the time for site selection work and some related approvals, they said.

New Delhi implemented the SHANTI Act last December, allowing the private sector to participate in nuclear energy generation for the first time, and limiting liability of equipment suppliers, towards achieving its goal of 100 GW of installed capacity by 2047.


One of the persons cited said companies are doing their independent rigorous studies to identify project locations, and that the Centre is examining ways to expedite the process.

Eventually, the entire process and studies have to be mandatorily evaluated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the DAE for licensing work and clearances such as licence to establish and operate the plant, and safety licence.

Bio-geophysical Criteria

"The AERB will anyway do all the detailed assessments at a later stage,” said the person cited above. “Basically, this just lets the developers take the risk and not be held up to proceed with discussions with states, authorities, etc”.

The DAE didn’t respond to ET‘s email query.

Site selection for a nuclear power plant requires a complex balance of safety-related, technical, and socio-economic parameters. Broad regions are thoroughly investigated to meet strict bio-geophysical criteria, such as the availability of cooling water, proper topography, access to the electrical grid, and a total absence of seismic faults within a certain radius.

Nuclear capacity currently stands at 8.78 GW, which is projected to rise to 22.38 GW by 2031-32.

According to a joint report from the government on the country’s nuclear energy roadmap for 100 GW by 2047, a site takes around 4-6 years to reach construction after state consent and regulatory clearances, while plant construction requires another 5.5-6 years, stretching the total nuclear project timeline to 11-12 years — very high compared to other power projects like coal and hydro.

As per the proposed simplification, the nuclear plant developer will have the core responsibility of evaluating the site and adhering to the AERB guidelines, and bear any risk involved in the process, a second person said.

The industry has flagged difficulties in undertaking site studies and engaging with various stakeholders in the absence of formal rules and the requirement for DAE concurrence. The department has, however, asured developers they can approach it for a 'letter of comfort' to facilitate engagement with states and ministries for site selection, the person said.