PARLIAMENT QUESTION: THORIUM-BASED POWER PROJECTS

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: THORIUM-BASED POWER PROJECTS

Deployment of thorium-based power at scale in the country in a manner so as to ensure a long term self-sustainable indigenous power production is one of the cornerstones of the Indian three stage nuclear power programme. Its advantages in the long-term energy scenario have been well established. Thorium based reactors are also expected to produce less amounts of long-lived nuclear wastes as compared to uranium-based reactors. Molten salt reactor (MSR) is envisaged as one of suitable technologies for thorium utilization. The molten salt breeder reactor (MSBR) using thorium-based fuel, which are expected to be deployed in the third stage, operates at near atmospheric pressure. This enhances its safety. However, this technology is not yet matured and economic implications of deploying the technology can be examined, once it is demonstrated in a limited scale.

This information was given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

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