Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station

Why in news?

• Russia has demanded Western Countries to respond to Ukraine’s strike on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station controlled by Russian forces.

About

• The International Atomic Energy Agency, said it was the first time the nuclear plant was directly targeted since 2022 and said the attack had endangered nuclear safety.
• Russian forces took control of the plant in 2022 shortly after their full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• Both Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused each other of risking a nuclear accident by attacking the plant.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station

• The Zaporizhzhia plant, in southern Ukraine, is the largest nuclear plant in Europe.
• The facility stopped generating power in 2022, but needs a constant supply of electricity to cool one of its reactors which is in a state of “hot conservation”, meaning it is not fully offline.

Nuclear Disasters

• A nuclear disaster is damage caused by the abnormal emission of radiation or radioactive material resulting from an accident, etc. at a nuclear facility.
• It causes lethal effects to individuals, large radioactivity release to the environment, or reactor core melt.
• Worldwide there have been 99 accidents at nuclear power plants.
• Fifty-seven accidents have occurred since the Chernobyl disaster, and 57% of all nuclear-related accidents have occurred in the USA.
• Serious nuclear power plant accidents include the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011), Chernobyl disaster (1986), Three Mile Island accident (1979), and the SL-1 accident (1961).

Concerns Related to Nuclear Disasters

• Radiation Exposure: Exposure to ionizing radiation released during a nuclear disaster leads to acute and chronic health effects, including radiation sickness, cancer, genetic mutations, and reproductive problems.
• Contamination of Air, Water, and Soil: Radioactive particles released into the atmosphere contaminate the air, water bodies, and soil, posing risks to ecosystems, agriculture, and human health through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption.
• Displacement and Evacuation: Nuclear disasters often result in the evacuation and displacement of large populations from affected areas.
• Economic Costs: The economic costs associated with nuclear disasters are substantial, including cleanup and decontamination efforts, healthcare expenses, loss of livelihoods, and long-term environmental remediation.
• Intergenerational Impact: The effects of nuclear disasters can span generations, with potential genetic mutations and health issues affecting not only the exposed population but also their descendants.
• Some doctors in Europe advised pregnant women to undergo abortions on account of radiation exposure due to the Chernobyl accident.
• Psychological Impact: Stigmatisation of both exposed and evacuated populations following the nuclear accidents has strongly contributed to a significant rise in alcoholism, depression, anxiety, bullying and suicides.
• Challenges in Disaster Response and Management: Responding to nuclear disasters presents unique challenges, including the need for specialized equipment, trained personnel, and coordinated international efforts to mitigate the spread of radiation and manage the aftermath effectively.

Safety Measures to Prevent a Nuclear Disaster

• Stringent Regulatory Framework: Governments should establish and enforce comprehensive regulatory frameworks governing nuclear safety, including licensing, operational standards, emergency preparedness, and environmental protection.
• Risk Assessment and Management: Authorities should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards and vulnerabilities at nuclear facilities, and implement risk management strategies to mitigate risks effectively.
• Design and Engineering Standards: Ensure that nuclear facilities are designed, constructed, and maintained according to rigorous engineering standards to prevent accidents and withstand natural disasters.
• Safety Systems: Install multiple layers of safety systems to prevent and mitigate accidents, including reactor shutdown systems, containment structures, emergency cooling systems, and backup power supplies.
• Operator Training: Provide comprehensive training for nuclear plant operators and personnel, ensuring they have the knowledge, skills, and competence to operate facilities safely and respond effectively to emergencies.

International Regulatory Framework for Preventing Nuclear Disasters

• Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS): The CNS is a legally binding international treaty that establishes fundamental safety principles and obligations for the safe operation of nuclear power plants.
• Participating states are required to submit national reports on the implementation of safety measures and undergo peer review by other parties to assess compliance with safety standards.
• Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management: This convention addresses the safe management and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, aiming to prevent accidents and minimize environmental and health risks associated with radioactive materials.
• Participating states commit to implementing safety measures throughout the entire lifecycle of radioactive waste, from generation to disposal.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): The IAEA plays a central role in promoting nuclear safety worldwide through its safety standards, guidelines, and technical assistance programs.
• The Agency conducts safety reviews, assessments, and peer reviews of nuclear facilities to evaluate compliance with international safety standards and identify areas for improvement.
• Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency: It adopted in 1986 following the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident, sets out an international framework for co-operation among States Parties and with the IAEA to facilitate prompt assistance and support in the event of nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies.

Regulation in India

• Activities concerning establishment and utilisation of nuclear facilities and use of radioactive sources are carried out in India in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.
• The environment protection aspects are governed by the Environmental Protection Act, 1986.
• The regulations for radiation protection aspects are as governed by the Radiation Protection Rules, 1962.
• Safety aspects in mining and milling of prescribed substances are governed by the Mines Minerals Prescribed Substance Rules, 1984.
• Safe waste disposal is ensured by implementation of the Atomic Energy Safe Disposal of Radioactive Waste Rules, 1987.

Solar PV Cells

Why in news?

• Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) made an attempt to increase local sourcing of solar modules to support India’s renewables manufacturing ecosystem.

Solar Photovoltaic Cells

• These are building blocks of solar panels, and have been at the forefront of renewable energy solutions.
• They convert sunlight directly into electricity, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source.

Current Scenario

• India’s solar industry, despite its claims of indigeneity, heavily relies on imports of cheaper and comparable-quality solar modules from China and Vietnam.
• The modules, which are multiple solar panels joined together, are primarily made up of solar cells.
• Despite being among the top manufacturers in the world, local production of these cells and modules is much below demand.
• India has imported about $11.17 billion worth of solar cells and modules in the past five years.
• However, with 110 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV module capacity set to come online in the next three years, India is poised to become self-sufficient and will be the second-largest PV manufacturing country after China.

Government Initiatives To Support Domestic Manufacturing

• Import Restrictions on Solar PV Cells: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) ordered re-implement of its 2021 notification of an ‘Approved List of Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Module (ALMM list) to support the country’s solar module manufacturing industry.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: It aims to achieve domestic manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt (GW) scale in High Efficiency Solar PV Modules, with an outlay of Rs. 24,000 crore.
• It provides incentives to selected solar PV module manufacturers for five years post commissioning, on manufacture and sale of High Efficiency Solar PV modules.
• Rooftop Solarisation: One crore households are enabled to obtain up to 300 units free electricity every month through rooftop solarisation (Interim Budget 2024-25).
• Solar Park Scheme, VGF Schemes, CPSU Scheme, Defence Scheme, Canal Bank & Canal Top Scheme, Bundling Scheme, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme: These are various schemes launched by the government to encourage generation of solar power in the country.
• These aim to build an ecosystem for manufacturing high efficiency solar PV modules in India, reduce import dependence in the area of Renewable Energy, and promote the setting up of integrated plants for better quality control and competitiveness.
• Furthermore, the government has imposed Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on the import of solar PV cells and modules, effective from April 1, 2022. It is expected to further boost domestic manufacturing.

Future of Solar Energy in India

• India has ambitious plans of sourcing about 500 GW, nearly half its requirement of electricity, from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
• It means at least 280 GW from solar power by that year or at least 40 GW of solar capacity being annually added until 2030.
• However, meeting these targets requires many more solar panels and component cells than India’s domestic industry can supply.
• As India continues to invest in renewable energy, the future of Solar PV cells in the country looks promising. The country’s commitment to scaling solar installation four-fold by 2030 signals a bright future for solar PV cells.