IIM-A Study Advocates Nuclear Energy for India's Net Zero Goal

An IIM Ahmedabad study proposed prioritizing nuclear energy investments to achieve India's net zero emissions target by 2070.

Key Points

Significance of Nuclear Energy: The study highlights the need to increase nuclear energy's share in India's energy mix to attain net zero emissions by 2070, emphasizing its role in sustainable development.
Scenarios and Projections: Various scenarios, including high, medium, and low economic growth, are explored, with a focus on nuclear energy, renewable energy, and fossil fuel use coupled with carbon capture and storage.
Nuclear Energy Expansion: The study projects a five-fold increase in nuclear power capacity by 2030 and a sharp rise to 30% of India's total energy mix by 2050, requiring substantial investments and uranium availability.
Role of Coal and Renewable Energy: While coal remains crucial, the study underscores the need for infrastructure development for alternative sources like nuclear power and flexible grid infrastructure to support renewable energy integration.
Financial Implications: To facilitate these transitions, India would require significant financial investments totalling Rs 150-200 lakh crore between 2020-2070, highlighting the scale of the challenge and the importance of strategic planning.