India to triple nuclear power to 22,480 MW by 2031
Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk has assured that the US will deepen its collaboration with India in Nuclear Energy as there is a lot of complementarity. India plans to triple installed capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031.
Turk also promised deeper engagement with India in the Green Hydrogen during meeting with Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space Dr Jitendra Singh on 14 Sept 2021.
The visiting Energy Secretary said that the initiatives are also imperative for Climate Change and mitigation related issues.
The two countries have also signed up for the transformation of the US-India gas task force with emphasis on the intersectionality between bioenergy, hydrogen and renewable fuels with natural gas.
Updating the US delegation led by Turk, Singh pointed out that India will produce more than three times nuclear power over the next 10 years to reach 22,480 MW by 2031 from current 6,780 MW as more nuclear power plants are planned in future.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s out of box idea for joint ventures in Nuclear Energy sector, he pointed out that Gamma irradiation technology for food preservation has already been shared with private players. Presently 26 Gamma Radiation Processing Plants are operational in the country in private, semi-government and government sector for irradiation of various products.
The Minister also underlined the proposal for establishing a Research Reactor in PPP mode for production of medical isotopes to promote welfare of humanity through affordable treatment for cancer and other diseases.
Singh informed the visitors that with the rapid introduction of biofuels, renewable energy and green Hydrogen, India is well poised to play an important role towards Carbon neutrality.
The Government, he said, is already encouraging adaptation of Hydrogen fuels and technology for the mobility sector and many industries like Steel, Cement and Glass Manufacturing Industries which have already started using Hydrogen for heating requirements.
Referring to all-encompassing cooperation in Science and Technology and academia exchange programmes, Singh said that India has proposed to launch a mission “Integrated Bio Refineries”. The US is actively supporting the initiative.
A few areas of potential R&D for collaboration in Advanced Biofuels and Renewable Chemicals and Materials have been identified.
Under Mission Innovation phase 1.0, India has been actively co-leading the Sustainable Biofuel Innovation challenge and supporting the RD&D collaborative projects (via Funding opportunity announcement) in close coordination with other IC4 member countries, including the US.
Dwelling on bilateral Artificial Intelligence Initiative, Singh pointed out that a Curtain Raiser of IUSSTF’s U.S. India Artificial Intelligence Initiative (USI-AI) was held on 17 March 2021. The objective was to provide a unique opportunity to both the countries to strengthen their strategic partnership by focusing on AI cooperation in critical areas at the interface of Science, Technology and Society.
On COVID-19 front, the United States–India Science & Technology Endowment Fund has awarded 11 bilateral teams under the category of COVID-19 Ignition Grants. They are working on solutions that include novel early diagnostic tests, antiviral therapy, drug repurposing, ventilator research, disinfection machines and sensor-based symptom tracking, said Singh who is also Minister of State Science & Technology as well as Earth Sciences. #energy #investment #projects #technology /fiinews.com
