Mumbai: The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) will operate 220 MW small nuclear reactors funded and situated on private land. This initiative, anticipated to begin by early 2025, allows private companies to collaborate on nuclear energy projects without amending India’s Atomic Energy Act, which currently restricts nuclear operations to public sector units.
These reactors, dubbed “Bharat Small Reactors,” are being developed using India’s Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology. The reactors, compact enough to reduce exclusion zones to 500 meters, will cater to energy-intensive industries like steel, potentially replacing traditional captive plants.
While foreign players have offered small modular reactor technology, their costs reach Rs 100 crore per MW. In contrast, NPCIL projects that the PHWR-based small reactors could be built for Rs 16 crore per MW, making them more viable.
This move aligns with India’s broader strategy for nuclear energy expansion, as highlighted in the July budget announcement to develop small and modular reactors. As part of a global push towards clean energy, these reactors could contribute to India’s net-zero targets, adding to the country’s existing 7,480 MW nuclear capacity, which is expected to increase significantly by 2031.
Discussion about this post