Fusion reactor for clean energy.

• India may consider setting up a fusion reactor for generating clear energy in future, being part of the 35-nation International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project.
• India is one of the partner countries in ITER project. India has contributed significantly in the international collaborative effort.
• To help in speedy implementation of the project, NPCIL has ordered long-delivery items and equipment.
• NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India) has also worked on standardising the design of indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor, to help in faster project implementation.
• To augment additional electricity generation through nuclear power plants, work has been initiated at the Kudankulam site for completion of KKNPP 3, 4, 5 and 6 plants, each with a capacity of 1,000 MWe, in collaboration with the Russian Federation.
• The Department of Atomic Energy’s R&D institutes Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research are carrying out considerable research in development for thorium-based fuel cycle technology.

What are fusion and ITER?

• Fusion is the nuclear reaction that powers the sun and the stars, is a potential source of safe, non-carbon-emitting and virtually limitless energy.
• International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a collaboration of 35 nations launched in
• The ITER members include China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States.
• It is located in France.
• Harnessing fusion’s power is the goal of ITER, which has been designed as the key experimental step between today’s fusion research machines and tomorrow’s fusion power plants.