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In a first, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will operate 220 MW small nuclear plants for private players, who will provide both funding and land for these projects, according to a senior government official. This development is expected to take shape by the end of 2024 or early 2025.
"The private sector will supply the funding and land, while NPCIL will manage and operate the nuclear plants," the official said. Since NPCIL, a public sector entity under the Department of Atomic Energy, will oversee operations, there is no need to amend the Atomic Energy Act, which limits nuclear energy production to government-run enterprises.
These 220 MW reactors, to be known as Bharat Small Reactors, are currently under research at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and will likely use India’s mastered Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology. This technology allows for a smaller exclusion zone of just 500 meters, down from the usual 1 to 1.5 kilometers, making these reactors more versatile and suitable for energy-intensive industries like steel.
While small modular reactors (SMRs) have attracted international interest, foreign bids have been prohibitively expensive, with estimates reaching ?100 crore per MW. In contrast, the PHWR-based small reactors are expected to cost ?16 crore per MW. Small reactors also offer the advantage of being factory-built and deployable in areas unsuitable for large-scale plants, enhancing their appeal for decentralized energy needs.
The initiative ties into Indias broader push for cleaner energy and aligns with its ambitious net-zero emissions targets. The government had earlier announced plans to collaborate with the private sector on Bharat Small Reactors and further research into small modular reactors during the Union Budget presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Globally, SMRs are still in their early stages, with only a few operational in countries like Argentina, China, and Russia. India’s PHWR technology, however, has proven successful, with NPCIL currently operating 24 nuclear plants, including 18 PHWRs.
India’s installed nuclear capacity of 7,480 MW is projected to rise to 22,480 MW by 2031, signaling the country’s commitment to expanding its clean energy infrastructure. |
