Plan to Amend Nuclear Liability Law May Encourage American and French Firms

Aspect

Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 & Atomic Energy Act, 1962

Proposed Changes to CLNDA & Atomic Energy Act, 1962

Operator Liability

Under CLNDA, 2010, operators were strictly liable for nuclear accidents, even if the incident wasn’t their fault.

Operators will remain responsible for accidents, but liability may be reduced or shared with suppliers under the revised CLNDA.

Supplier Liability

CLNDA, 2010 introduced supplier liability, making suppliers responsible for damages caused by defective equipment.

Supplier liability will be separated from operator liability, reducing suppliers’ financial risks under the revised CLNDA.

Financial Security

CLNDA, 2010 required operators to set aside sufficient funds for potential damages, with government stepping in if costs exceeded limits.

No significant change in financial security provisions, but revisions to liability rules reduce overall financial burden on operators under CLNDA.

Private Sector Participation

Atomic Energy Act, 1962 restricted private and foreign companies from owning or operating nuclear plants in India.

And it maintained public sector monopoly in the nuclear industry.

Amendment to the Atomic Energy Act will allow private and foreign companies to own and operate nuclear plants in India.

PPPs are encouraged with joint ventures between NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India) and foreign companies under the amended Atomic Energy Act.

International Standards Alignment

CLNDA, 2010 and Atomic Energy Act, 1962 were not fully aligned with international standards like the International Convention for Supplementary Compensation (CSC).

Amendments to CLNDA will align India’s laws with international standards, particularly the CSC (International Convention for Supplementary Compensation).

What Are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?
 

1. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are a type of nuclear reactor that are smaller in size and modular in design compared to traditional large-scale nuclear reactors.
2. SMRs are designed to be factory-built, transported to the site, and assembled on location, making them more flexible and cost-effective.

About Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) – Key Points
 

1. NPCIL: Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India.
2. Established in September 1987 under the Companies Act, 1956.
3. Primary purpose: Operate atomic power plants and implement nuclear power projects for electricity generation.
    

Core Functions:

1. Responsible for design, construction, commissioning, and operation of nuclear reactors.
2. Owns and operates 24 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 8180 MW.
3. Has an ongoing expansion with 8 reactors under construction, adding 6800 MW.
    

Vision & Mission

1. Vision: Be globally proficient in nuclear technology, ensuring long-term energy security for India.
2. Mission: Develop nuclear power as a safe, eco-friendly, and economically viable source of electricity.
    

Operating Units:

1. Tarapur Atomic Power Station: Rajasthan Atomic Power Station: Madras Atomic Power Station: Narora Atomic Power Station:Kakrapar Atomic Power Station: Kaiga Generating Station: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Station: Wind Power: 10 MW Wind Power Plant at Kudankulam.