Recently, Indian Minister of State, Jitendra Singh announced that The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a branch of Indian Atomic Energy Commission, has made a new discovery. The AMD at the G3 stage reveals about 1,600 tonnes of lithium in the Mandya and Yadgiri districts of Karnataka. The discovery can be impactful given the significance of lithium in the manufacturing of high-performance batteries used for energy storage purposes which aid technologies linked to renewable energy resources as well as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
During Atomexpo 2024, Evgeny Pakermanov, President of Rosatom, mentioned that Rosatom, a Russian energy company, is currently in negotiations with India for the supply of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. These reactors, some of which are in the range of 100-200MW, offer advantages such as; the fact that it takes roughly 4 years to develop and the low water utilization.
It reflects the fact that Indian government has a grand plan regarding the development of energy sector, which includes SMRs. As during the budget speech for 2024-25, Indian Finance Minister, Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized on the reliance on the nuclear energy in order to help India achieve its targets related to Viksit Bhara – an Indian vision to transform the country into a developed nation by 2047 – she alluded that nuclear energy is to play a significant role in India’s progress. In order to materialize this intent in line with the vision Viksit Bharat, India has proposed INR24,969 crores (or approximately around USD2. 98 billion) for the Department of Atomic Energy. This enhanced funding exhibits Indian embedded commitment to the nuclear energy sector and the Research and Development of SMRs and other Gen-IV advanced nuclear technologies.
The Indian government also desires to coordinate the development of Bharat Small Reactors with private firms and carry our extensive research and development in this regard. While the generation of nuclear electricity at the present occurs only in enterprises owned by the government, current discussions aim toward incorporating the private sector later on.
As India makes strides in nuclear technology and energy projects, it has potential to augment its influence geopolitically as well as in the regional energy politics. This could mean that India may carry more weight in influencing regional politics after becoming self-sufficient in energy and can export energy to further increase its regional sway.
This creates a concerning scenario for Pakistan, which requires careful steering to safeguard its own energy needs and strategic interests. With India’s improved energy security, the country might enjoy more stable and possibly lower energy costs. This could impact regional energy markets, affecting prices and trade dynamics. Pakistan will need to keep these developments in mind to ensure it maintains its own energy security and remains competitive in the regional market.
China’s energy strategy is notably advanced, with 55 nuclear plants currently operational and 36 more under construction. Additionally, China is developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), including a 125 MWe SMR on the island province of Hainan. Given Pakistan’s positive relationship with China, there is a strong opportunity for collaboration. By working together on nuclear technology and SMRs, Pakistan could benefit from China’s expertise and experience in these advanced energy systems. Collaborating with China could help Pakistan enhance its own energy infrastructure, improve energy security, and adopt cutting-edge technologies more efficiently.
