Bhabha Atomic Research Centre developing three reactor types for demonstration
India is targeting nuclear power capacity of 100 GW by 2047 with new nuclear plants to be planned across greenfield and brownfield sites and small modular reactors (SMRs) rolled out for off-grid locations in remote areas.
Jitendra Singh, minister for science and technology and earth sciences, said in a written statement to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s bicameral parliament, that the plan positions nuclear energy as a critical driver towards India’s net-zero emissions goal by 2070.
He said India’s Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is designing and developing three types of SMR for demonstration.
They are the 200 MW Bharat SMR (BSMR), a 55 MW SMR and a 5 MWt high temperature gas-cooled reactor for hydrogen production. In-principle approval has been obtained for construction of these demonstration reactors, he said.
Singh said lead units of the BSMR and 55 MW SMR are planned to be installed at Department of Atomic Energy sites in collaboration with state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.
These plants could be used for repurposing retired fossil fuel-based plants and for hydrogen production to support transport sector. The objective is to support decarbonisation by increasing the level of nuclear energy in the industrial and transport sector, Singh said.
Plans To Bring In Private Sector
According to Singh, a key feature of the government’s nuclear plan is partnerships with the private sector and the research and development of SMRs and other advanced nuclear technologies.
The government said it plans to partner with the private sector to develop SMRs and conduct research and development.
It has also said it is exploring the possibility of allowing foreign companies to hold up to 49% ownership in the nation’s nuclear power facilities as it sets about meeting ambitious targets.
In July 2024 India announced major initiatives for the development of nuclear energy including plans to bring in the private sector to help major state corporations develop indigenous small modular reactor technology.
India is bullish on nuclear power to meet its rising energy demand without compromising on its net-zero commitments.
State-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd said recently that India plans to add 18 more nuclear reactors to its national energy mix by 2031-32, bringing the total nuclear power capacity of the country to more than 22 GW.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s reactor database India has 21 commercial plants in operation and six under construction. The agency puts total net installed capacity at about 7.5 GW with about 4.7 GW under construction.
