The nuclear industry made a beginning with critical facilities and research reactors, and then moved on to power reactors. Initially, the reactor size was small but was gradually increased to 700– 1600 MW range to realise the economy of scale. Lessons learnt from various incidents in nuclear reactors have been incorporated into the designs of operating third-generation reactors. The fourth generation of reactors where the goal includes breeding, utilisation of thorium, achieving high temperature for hydrogen generation and improving cycle efficiency is going through a developmental process that could take a long time to realise. Public perception of nuclear energy has fluctuated over time. The present perception is quite positive because of concerns arising from climate change. At COP-28 in December 2023, 25 nations declared their intent to triple nuclear-installed capacity by mid-century. At COP-29, six more countries joined the group of 25. India plans to triple nuclearinstalled capacity much earlier than mid-century. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, has projected a target of 100 GW by 2050, which is more than ten times increase compared to the present installed capacity.
Amendments Atomic Energy Act fuel cycle small reactors system costs