Tripling Nuclear Capacity by 2050

Tripling Nuclear Capacity by 2050

News: At the COP28 climate meeting, more than 20 countries have pledged to triple the global nuclear installed capacity by 2050, in a bid to attain a net-zero emissions status.

Background:
• Just as in the case of the pledge tripling renewable energy, India is not a part of the nuclear energy commitment as well, in keeping with its position not to join alliances outside the COP process.

Declaration Supporting Tripling Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050
• Initiated by the United States, 22 nations including France, the UK, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Ukraine have consented to collaborate to triple the nuclear energy output by the year 2050.
• The declaration recognized
o The key role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions;
o The importance of nuclear science and technology in monitoring climate change and tackling its impacts, and emphasizing the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);
o That nuclear energy is already the second-largest source of clean dispatchable baseload power, with benefits for energy security; etc.

Who were other non-participants?
• Notably absent from the agreement were China and Russia, despite possessing rapidly expanding nuclear programs.

Future developments:
• The IAEA’s leader disclosed plans for an unprecedented Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels to deliberate on nuclear energy’s influence on Decreasing fossil fuel dependency, strengthening energy autonomy and Fostering economic growth.

India’s Nuclear energy scenario:
• Currently, India boasts an installed nuclear capacity of 6,780 MW.
• With 8 new reactors under construction, anticipated to add another 6,800 MW, India’s nuclear capacity is expected to double soon.

What are future prospects for India?
• By 2070, India’s nuclear energy infrastructure may require an expansion by a factor of 100 from its current levels to meet rising demands.
• Although renewable energy sources are seen as a comprehensive solution, they may not suffice for India’s growing clean energy needs in the long term.
• To address its escalating demand for clean energy, India must substantially scale up its nuclear energy production. Thus, it made sense for India to join the coalition at COP28. However, India is not a part of the nuclear energy commitment.