AERB will ensure safety as private players enter nuclear sector
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Chairperson A.K. Balasubrahmanian stated that regulatory requirements will not be diluted for private entities.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) Chairperson A.K. Balasubrahmanian said the regulator will provide an enabling environment for private players entering the nuclear energy sector without compromising safety. Speaking to The Hindu in Thiruvananthapuram this week, he addressed concerns regarding the entry of private entities into the sensitive sector.
The remarks come following the Union government's policy decision to welcome private players and the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, 2025 (SHANTI Act). Mr. Balasubrahmanian noted that the sector is being opened at the right time due to emerging power requirements.
India is targeting 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 under the Nuclear Mission. The chairperson observed that existing public sector infrastructure, including the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), and the NPCIL-NTPC joint venture Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI), may be insufficient to reach this goal.
Under the current licensing framework, an entity must first secure a licence from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Following this, the AERB will scrutinise designs and site suitability before issuing safety authorisations for siting and construction.
Mr. Balasubrahmanian stated that the AERB framework remains the same for both government and private agencies. He added that staff in key decision-making positions for private players will also need to be certified by the AERB.