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India proposes SHANTI Act to overhaul civil nuclear energy framework
India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has opened public consultation for the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025 (SHANTI Act). The legislation seeks to overhaul the country's civil nuclear energy legal framework to support a target of 100GW of nuclear power by 2047, up from the current 8.7GW.
A key proposal in the draft rules, specifically Rule 78, involves establishing an expert group to review the maximum civil liability limits for nuclear operators every five years. This mechanism aims to ensure liability limits remain relevant to changing economic and technical factors. However, the liability regime is currently facing scrutiny from the Indian Supreme Court regarding potential impacts on accident victims.
Major industrial players, including Adani Group, Tata Power, Reliance, JSW, and Hindalco, have expressed interest in captive nuclear plants but raised several concerns regarding the draft rules. Key issues include the licensing of foreign technology, options for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the lack of standard Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), and the notification of tariff norms.
Industry experts have specifically warned that requirements for foreign technology to be fully operational in its country of origin before licensing could delay the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) until at least 2034-35, as many SMR designs are currently in the experimental or design stages.
Entities
Adani Group · Department of Atomic Energy · India · Reliance · Tata Power
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] India aims to increase its nuclear power capacity from 8.7GW to 100GW by 2047. www.businesstoday.in
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The requirement that foreign technology must be operational in its country of origin before licensing could delay Small Modular Reactor (SMR) implementation until 2034-35. www.businesstoday.in
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Industry players have raised concerns regarding foreign technology licensing, FDI options, tariff norms, and exclusion zones in the draft rules. www.businesstoday.in
- [● 2 SOURCES] Proposed Rule 78 would establish an expert group to review nuclear operator civil liability limits every five years. www.diariodelsur.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The DAE released draft rules for the SHANTI Act for public consultation. www.businesstoday.in · www.diariodelsur.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com