Fukushima’s Lesson Is The Need For Effective Nuclear Regulation

Context: Electricity generated by nuclear reactors should remain an important part of India’s energy mix for a low-carbon future.

Background: The criticism of the use of nuclear power has often been based on the narrative of failure in Fukushima. However, certain facts shows that the issue is not with the technology -

• No adverse health effects due to radiation.
• Sixty kilometres away, three reactors at Onagawa were undamaged and shut down safely, despite being closer to the epicentre and suffering a more powerful tsunami.

Analyzing the failure of public policy in the nuclear sector: Following factors have retarded the growth –

• Regressive laws: Post the Fukushima accident, every country, except Russia and China, has adopted statutes and policies that strangle the development of the nuclear industry.
  • 2010 civil liability law prevents greater investment, innovation and development of nuclear energy.
• Low development: Against the promise of producing 20,000MW of nuclear power by 2020, India currently has operational capacity of 6,780MW, constituting only 2.4% of the electricity generated.
• Ignored future development: Government stated that it has no plans to promote domestic and foreign investment in the sector.
  • This may lead to poor safety culture arising from regulatory capture and poor oversight.
  • Investigators of the Fukushima disaster blamed a “mindset that emphasizes hierarchy and acquiescence and discourages asking questions.

Way forward: Restructure India’s nuclear governance architecture (similar to the space sector)

• Structurally separate the policymaker, regulator, research and development, and commercial operators.