World · India Bureau
India should pivot to thorium as global uranium supplies face pressure
Former Atomic Energy Commission chief Anil Kakodkar has called on India to prioritize thorium utilization in its nuclear reactors as tightening uranium supplies pose challenges for the country's atomic energy programme.
LSN India ·
Kakodkar, who previously headed the Department of Atomic Energy, has advocated for greater reliance on thorium in pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) as a strategic response to mounting global demand for uranium. The recommendation comes as international uranium markets face supply constraints that could impact India's long-term nuclear expansion plans.
India possesses substantial thorium reserves, positioning the country to leverage this domestic resource for energy generation. Kakodkar's proposal suggests integrating thorium fuel cycles into existing PHWR infrastructure, which forms the backbone of India's current nuclear fleet.
Beyond immediate fuel considerations, Kakodkar has stressed the importance of developing advanced fuel recycling technologies. Such capabilities would enable India to maximize the utility of its nuclear fuel inventory and reduce dependence on imported uranium over the long term.
The former AEC chairman's intervention reflects growing recognition within India's nuclear establishment that resource security and technological self-sufficiency are critical to sustaining the country's atomic energy ambitions amid evolving global supply dynamics.