India’s planned nuclear expansion is set to dramatically increase uranium demand. The Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings has projected that Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors alone will require around 5,400 tons of uranium oxide annually.

At present, domestic production meets only about 30 per cent of this requirement, leaving the country heavily reliant on imports.

The Committee’s report emphasised the need to accelerate domestic uranium production to ensure comprehensive fuel assurance. It noted that the Nuclear Fuel Complex manufactures PHWR fuel assemblies using uranium concentrate supplied either by Uranium Corporation of India Limited or through imports arranged under government oversight.

Imports currently come from Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Canada. A long-term supply contract with Uzbekistan remains valid until 2026. The Committee highlighted that this dependence exposes India to international market fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties.

To mitigate risks, the panel welcomed a proposed joint venture between UCIL and NTPC to acquire stakes in overseas uranium assets. It described this as a constructive step towards stabilising long-term fuel costs and shielding the domestic nuclear fleet from volatility.

However, it pressed the Department of Atomic Energy to provide a detailed plan with clear timelines for the joint venture, future sourcing strategies, and frameworks for Mine Developer-cum-Operators in domestic uranium production.

The Committee also stressed the importance of establishing strategic uranium reserves. It argued that stockpiles calibrated to refuelling cycles and outage risks are essential to sustain reactor operations during supply disruptions.

On domestic availability, the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research has established about 4.31 lakh tons of uranium oxide resources. Of the 80,423 tons transferred to UCIL, nearly 39.22 per cent has already been depleted. At current production rates, the remaining reserves could last around 40 years if no new deposits are added.

In its response, the Department of Atomic Energy confirmed that UCIL plans to double uranium production. This will be achieved by expanding existing mine capacity and developing new projects in Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Such measures are expected to strengthen India’s self-reliance in nuclear fuel supply.

The uranium requirement is particularly significant as India expands its nuclear power program. NPCIL currently operates 25 reactors with an installed capacity of 8,780 MW. Another 17 reactors totalling 13,100 MW are under various stages of execution.

The government has set a target of reaching 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, with NPCIL expected to contribute nearly half of this capacity.

This ambitious expansion underscores the urgency of securing reliable uranium supplies, both through domestic mining and international partnerships. Without accelerated action, India’s nuclear growth trajectory could face fuel-related constraints.

ANI