China Unveils World’s First Thorium Reactor; Where Does India Stand?
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China launched its thorium power project in 2011 with a $444 million investment. India, rich in thorium reserves, has explored this concept for decades
Thorium itself is not a nuclear fuel but can be converted into uranium-233, which is used in reactors. (Representative/News18 Hindi)
China has achieved a significant milestone by constructing the world’s first thorium-based nuclear reactor. This feat comes against the backdrop of the ongoing trade war with the US. The revolutionary reactor, known as the Thorium Molten Salt Reactor, has been installed in the Gobi Desert in Wuyi city, Gansu province.
The project, initiated in October 2023, aims to generate two megawatts of electricity. While this is a monumental breakthrough in nuclear science, experts caution that large-scale electricity generation from thorium reactors will take time.
China embarked on this thorium electricity generation project in 2011, investing a substantial $444 million. Thorium reactors are advantageous as they produce less radioactive waste compared to uranium and are relatively safer. Additionally, thorium is difficult to use for nuclear weapons, which is a significant security benefit. China is now focusing on constructing a larger 10 MW thorium reactor, scheduled for installation by 2030.
India’s Journey With The Thorium Reactor Concept
India has long been acquainted with the thorium reactor concept, boasting the world’s largest thorium reserves.
Thorium itself is not a nuclear fuel but can be converted into uranium-233, which is used in reactors. Despite the complex and costly conversion process, India made considerable strides in nuclear power starting in the 1950s under Dr. Homi Jahangir Bhabha, a renowned nuclear scientist.
Bhabha’s vision was to leverage India’s extensive thorium reserves in light of its limited uranium resources. Research by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and other institutions yielded successful results.
Recently, India has renewed its focus on thorium, aiming to generate 30 percent of its electricity from thorium-based reactors by 2050. India possesses 25 percent of the world’s thorium reserves.
China’s Lead And Global Progress
Globally, China commenced its thorium reactor initiatives later than India, starting in the 1970s, while Dr. Bhabha began in the 1950s.
The US experimented with a 7.4 MW thorium reactor in the 1960s. Germany also experimented with thorium reactors in the 1970s and 1980s, with similar endeavours by Canada, Norway, Japan, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Amongst these nations, India and China have emerged as leaders in thorium-based nuclear energy research, with India maintaining a prominent position in this field.