India to build thorium-based reactor
Power potential from thorium reactors is very large and availability of Accelerator Driven System (ADS) can enable early introduction of thorium on a largescale, says Anil Kakodkar.
By PTI |
BANGALORE: India would build a 300 MW thorium-based Advance Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) that would serve as a platform for developing and demonstrating technologies for largescale thorium utilisation, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said on Monday.
Power potential from thorium reactors is very large and availability of Accelerator Driven System (ADS) can enable early introduction of thorium on a largescale, he said, while inaugurating a training programme on Energy Security and Management, organised by the National Institute of Advanced Studies here.
"The Advance Heavy Water Reactor design is complete. Pre- licensing has been done. Now, they are working on details in terms of foundation and other things," Kakodkar told reporters later.
The construction of the reactor would certainly begin by the end of this year or early next year, he said.
India is believed to have thorium reserves of nine lakh- ten lakh tonnes, Kakodkar said.
According to him, India which has around 61,000 tonnes of uranium is also enhancing its uranium production capacity.
He stressed that nuclear power must contribute to about a quarter of the total electric power required 50 years from now.
"There is a need to sustain the tempo of domestic Research and Development without any external safeguard hindrance," he said.
Power potential from thorium reactors is very large and availability of Accelerator Driven System (ADS) can enable early introduction of thorium on a largescale, he said, while inaugurating a training programme on Energy Security and Management, organised by the National Institute of Advanced Studies here.
"The Advance Heavy Water Reactor design is complete. Pre- licensing has been done. Now, they are working on details in terms of foundation and other things," Kakodkar told reporters later.
The construction of the reactor would certainly begin by the end of this year or early next year, he said.
India is believed to have thorium reserves of nine lakh- ten lakh tonnes, Kakodkar said.
According to him, India which has around 61,000 tonnes of uranium is also enhancing its uranium production capacity.
ADVERTISEMENT
He stressed that nuclear power must contribute to about a quarter of the total electric power required 50 years from now.
"There is a need to sustain the tempo of domestic Research and Development without any external safeguard hindrance," he said.
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
