Visakhapatnam Chosen for High‑Energy Proton Accelerator

Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Project Lead: Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore
Purpose: Generate high‑energy proton beams for Accelerator‑Driven Systems (ADS) to support India’s three‑stage nuclear power programme and thorium utilisation.
Why Visakhapatnam: Strong technological ecosystem; proximity to the sea ensures abundant cooling water.
Thorium Reserves: India holds ~25% of the world’s thorium reserves.
Target Materials: Lead or Bismuth are used as heavy‑metal targets for spallation reactions.

High‑Energy Proton Accelerator: Accelerates protons using electromagnetic fields to near‑light speeds. When these protons strike a heavy‑metal target, a spallation reaction occurs, releasing a large flux of neutrons.
Accelerator‑Driven System (ADS): The neutrons from spallation are fed into a sub‑critical reactor core that cannot sustain a chain reaction on its own. Continuous neutron supply from the accelerator maintains fission, offering inherent safety – the reaction stops instantly if the accelerator shuts down.
India’s Three‑Stage Nuclear Power Programme:

Stage I – Pressurised Heavy‑Water Reactors (PHWR): Use natural uranium to produce plutonium.
Stage II – Fast Breeder Reactors: Use plutonium to breed U‑233 from thorium.
Stage III – Advanced Heavy‑Water Reactors (AHWR): Operate on thorium‑derived U‑233 for large‑scale power generation.

Role of ADS: Provides the high‑energy neutrons needed to convert fertile Th‑232 into fissile U‑233, and to transmute long‑lived radioactive waste into shorter‑lived isotopes.

Energy Security: Harnessing domestic thorium reduces dependence on imported uranium.
Safety: Sub‑critical reactors mitigate risks of meltdowns, aligning with global nuclear safety norms.
Waste Management: ADS enables transmutation of minor actinides, addressing long‑term waste disposal challenges.
Strategic Autonomy: Indigenous development of accelerator technology strengthens scientific capability and reduces reliance on foreign technology.

Atomic Energy Act, 1962 – Governs nuclear research, development, and utilisation.
National Mineral Policy (2019) – Emphasises exploration and utilisation of thorium reserves.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards – Certain reactors are under IAEA safeguards; ADS development aligns with non‑proliferation commitments.