Our Bureau
New Delhi
India’s planned expansion of nuclear power capacity could create a significant challenge in securing adequate uranium supplies, with the future fleet of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) estimated to require around 5,400 tonnes of uranium oxide every year. The domestic supply is currently projected to meet only about 30% of this requirement, according to a Parliamentary panel.
The assessment comes amid India’s long-term plan to expand its nuclear power capacity to around 100 GW by 2047. According to the Committee on Public Undertakings, PHWRs accounting for nearly 25 GW of generation capacity alone could require the estimated 5,400 tonnes of uranium annually.
The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) is expected to supply up to 30% of the annual requirement, leaving a substantial gap that would need to be addressed through imports, increased domestic production or overseas uranium assets. The committee has flagged continued dependence on imported uranium as a strategic concern for India’s nuclear expansion.
India currently operates 25 nuclear power reactors with an installed capacity of about 8,780 MW. Of this, PHWRs account for a significant share, while light-water reactors depend on imported uranium. Domestic uranium currently supports only around 2.4 GW of PHWR capacity, according to UCIL’s submission to the panel.
The country has established uranium resources estimated at around 4.31 lakh tonnes of uranium oxide, but the committee noted the need to substantially expand mining and processing capacity to translate resources into dependable fuel supplies.
UCIL has outlined plans to increase uranium production, including opening new mines and adopting more mechanised mining technologies. It has also targeted doubling production by 2031-32. India currently imports uranium from countries including Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Canada.
The Parliamentary panel has stressed that accelerating domestic uranium production and diversifying international supply sources will be crucial for ensuring fuel security as India scales up nuclear power.