Nuclear technology: power to the people

The peaceful application of atomic energy has a special place in independent India´s technology development efforts, having been one of the first strategic technologies pursued on a grand scale for the sake of national self-sufficiency. To electrify more of the country and meet its needs for the foreseeable future, India has devised a three-stage plan. In the first and current stage, a series of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) are being deployed. They will be used to generate not just electricity but also plutonium for the second stage, when a group of liquid-metal, fast breeder reactors will be commissioned. In the third and final stage, the emphasis will shift to thermal breeder reactors and reprocessing technology operating in a uranium 233-thorium-232 fuel cycle. Only by exploiting such a cycle can India-which has the world´s largest known reserves of thorium-hope to achieve long-term energy security and self-sufficiency.<>