Page 2 - Nuclear Energy

Construction intensifies at Israel's Dimona site amid nuclear concerns

Construction work has intensified on a major new structure at a facility key to Israel's long-suspected atomic weapons programme, according to satellite images analysed by experts. They say it could be a new reactor or a facility to assemble nuclear arms but secrecy shrouding the programme makes it difficult to know for sure. The work at the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Centre near the city of Dimona will renew questions about Israel's widely believed status as the Mideast's only nuclear-armed state. It could also draw international criticism, especially since it comes after Israel and the United States bombed nuclear sites across Iran in June over their fears that the Islamic Republic could use its enrichment facilities to pursue an atomic weapon. Among the sites attacked was Iran's heavy water reactor at Arak. Seven experts who examined the images all said they believed the construction was related to Israel's long-suspected nuclear weapons program, given its proximity to

Committed to energy ties with India, says senior US Embassy official

US, India deepen energy ties with focus on critical minerals, nuclear reactors, oil, gas, and smart energy solutions to strengthen long-term energy security

Congress questions govt on nuclear energy reforms, private sector entry

The Congress on Tuesday questioned the government over its promise of amending two existing acts to allow private companies to establish and run nuclear power plants, and asked whether the bills will be introduced in Parliament's Winter session. The opposition party also asked the government -- what about a Bill to establish an independent regulatory body that is not part of the atomic energy establishment. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 2025-26 Budget, grand promises were made to give a boost to nuclear energy by amending the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, and the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, to allow private companies to establish and run nuclear power plants. However, somewhat surprisingly, neither of these two Bills were even introduced in the recently-concluded session of Parliament, he said. "Will the Bills be introduced in the Winter session three months hence? ...

Best of BS Opinion: Land reforms, nuclear energy can power Indian economy

Today's Opinion page traverses the regulatory landscape, from land reforms to nuclear power, corporate governance to government divestment and comes away with deep insights into all

Nuclear energy can help power India's economic growth, private push welcome

For decades, state control was justified by concerns over radiation safety, misuse of nuclear material, and strategic security

Govt likely to allow private cos to mine uranium to help nuclear expansion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government plans to expand nuclear power production capacity by 12 times by 2047

Private sector likely to play a key role in nuclear power road map

A consultative process is underway, led by NITI Aayog along with NPCIL, involving state energy ministers as nodal points to ensure alignment with state-level energy priorities

Nuclear power-focused Core Energy Systems raises ₹200 crore funding

Engineering, procurement and construction services provider Core Energy Systems on Wednesday announced a Rs 200 crore fund raise from a clutch of investors. The over 20-year-old EPC company, which is currently refurbishing India's oldest nuclear facility at Tarapur near here, aims to utilise the funding for expanding infrastructure and manufacturing and strengthening its capacity to deliver large-scale nuclear projects. The funding will also reinforce efforts supporting India's Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and Bharat Modular Reactor (BMR) programmes, a statement said. Pankaj Prasoon and Ashish Kacholia, along with a consortium of "strategic investors aligned with India's long-term national goals", have invested Rs 200 crore in the company as part of the current round, it said. "This investment gives muscle to our commitment to shaping India's civil nuclear future," the company's managing director, Nagesh Basarkar, said. The statement said given the country's ambitions of upping nuc

Low-cost finance, private sector role key to nuclear projects: PK Mishra

Timely completion, access to low-cost finance, and leveraging private sector capabilities are key to lowering tariffs and improving feasibility of nuclear projects, P K Mishra, principal secretary to the prime minister, said here on Friday. Addressing the 68th batch of scientific officers at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Training School, Mishra encouraged researchers to innovate in cost reduction strategies to make nuclear energy India's preferred power source. Citing the successful opening of the space sector, Mishra said similar initiatives are envisaged for atomic energy, which is essential for clean energy and national security. He underscored the societal impact of nuclear energy and cited the use of radio isotopes for cancer care, and radiation technologies for wastewater treatment and agriculture storage. The government had sanctioned 50 multi-product food irradiation units for the MSME sector under the 2024-25 Union Budget, Mishra said. Irradiation facilities in 12 sta

Russia considers stake sale in $25 billion Turkish nuclear power plant

The project has been beset by delays and financing problems because foreign banks fear exposure to US penalties

Israel hits Iran's Isfahan nuclear research facility, kills 3 commanders

Israel's military said Saturday it struck an Iranian nuclear research facility overnight and killed three senior Iranian commanders in targeted attacks as the war between the two nations continued into a second week. Early Saturday, smoke could be seen rising from an area near a mountain in Isfahan, where a local official said Israel had attacked the nuclear research facility in two waves. The target was two centrifuge production sites, and the attacks came on top of strikes on other centrifuge production sites elsewhere in recent days, according to an Israeli military official speaking on condition of anonymity under army guidelines to brief reporters. It was the second attack on Isfahan, which was hit in the first 24 hours of the war as part of Israel's goal to destroy the Iranian nuclear program. Akbar Salehi, Isfahan province's deputy governor for security affairs, confirmed the Israeli strikes had caused damage to the facility but said there had been no human casualties. Iran

Backed by private capital, India's nuclear energy set for transformation

India's nuclear journey is all set to enter its most transformative phase - that too by inviting private capital to participate in scaling up nuclear power to 100 Gw by 2047

Indians must eschew prejudice if they want the 'narrative' on their side

Victimhood is often seductive and we have cultivated it into some kind of a chronic disease across generations. There are, however, many problems with this proposition

ITER nuclear fusion project crosses milestone with world's strongest magnet

ITER said late on Wednesday that the final component of the system the central solenoid had been completed and tested by the United State

India helps world's largest nuclear fusion project cross key milestone

India has contributed a significant role in the world's biggest nuclear fusion project, with key contributions by way of components for the Central Solenoid

Uranium sources, land acquisition key to boosting nuclear energy: Minister

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Monday said that measures such as faster land acquisition and securing diversified uranium fuel sources are crucial in scaling up domestic nuclear energy capacity. He said broader participation from private and state sectors is needed to promote nuclear energy, Lal said while chairing a meeting of Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power. "(The) minister outlined the key challenges and strategic steps required for scaling up nuclear energy, including Amending the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to enable broader participation by private and state sectors and Strengthening public perception and enhancing awareness about nuclear energy's safety and benefits," the Power Ministry said in a statement. Besides, measures like introducing tax concessions, green power classification, and long-term financing to ensure competitive nuclear tariffs, and diversifying technology choices through competitive bidding

Consultative Committee of PowerMin calls for greater push to nuclear power

Among other policy changes suggested by the committee were facilitating faster land acquisition through brownfield expansions and repurposing retired thermal sites

US had very good talks with Iran after second nuclear round, says Trump

US President Donald Trump said on Monday (April 21) the United States had very good talks with Iran

Iran seeks Russia's support ahead of Rome talks on nuclear deal with US

Iran on Friday sought support from Russia over a possible deal with Washington over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme, ahead of a second round of talks this weekend in Rome. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he briefed his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the first round of talks in Oman last week and praised Russia's role in Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that led to lifting of sanctions in return for Tehran's cap on its nuclear activities. We are hopeful, and we expect Russia to continue its supportive role in any new agreement, Araghchi said in a joint news conference with Lavrov in Moscow. The 2015 nuclear deal collapsed with Trump's unilateral withdrawal while Iran abandoned all limits on its nuclear programme, and enriches uranium to up to 60% purity near weapons-grade levels of 90%. Lavrov said Russia was ready to mediate and assist in the nuclear talks. We are ready to help, mediate and play any role that, from Iran's point of view,

India plans to set new nuclear regulator amid the entry of private sector

Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act are in progress to enable private sector involvement in nuclear energy sector, with strict oversight on the import, use, and disposal of nuclear fuel