popular articles

India Invests in Modular Reactors with a Public-Private Partnership

India is turning to small modular reactors in collaboration with the private sector to strengthen its energy mix and meet its development targets by 2047.
example of SMR

Please share:

The Indian government unveils, as part of the 2024-2025 budget, its intention to collaborate with the private sector to develop small modular reactors (SMRs).
This initiative marks a strategic step forward for the country, where nuclear power is set to play a crucial role in Viksit Bharat’s strategy to make India a fully developed nation by 2047.

Background and Energy Priorities

Presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the budget highlights nine key priorities for achieving Viksit Bharat’s goals, including energy security.
The government plans to collaborate with the private sector in the installation of Bharat Small Reactors, as well as in research and development of modular reactors and new nuclear technologies.
The budget allocates a total of INR 24,969 crores (USD 2.983 billion) to the Department of Atomic Energy.
This includes funding for research and development announced in February’s interim budget.

Transitions and Strategic Investments

The budget also includes the development of a policy document on energy transition trajectories, aimed at balancing employment, growth and environmental sustainability.
In addition to the commitment to nuclear power, major projects such as the installation of rooftop solar panels and the promotion of pumped storage projects are included to integrate the growing share of renewable energies. In particular, India has received support from the World Bank as part of its energy transition.
The government will also support an 800 MWe advanced ultra-supercritical thermal power plant project and formulate a roadmap for hard-to-decarbonize industries, to focus on emission targets.

Current situation and future plans

India currently operates 23 nuclear reactors generating a capacity of 7,425 MWe, with seven units under construction. Future plans include a fleet of 700 MWe heavy pressurized water reactors, designed and built in India, as well as larger reactors from international suppliers.
The growing interest in SMRs was underlined in August 2023 by Minister of State Jitendra Singh, who stated that the government is considering options for SMRs and exploring ways to enable participation by the private sector and start-ups.

Regulations and Partnerships

India’s Atomic Energy Act of 1962 prohibits private control of nuclear power generation, with only NPCIL and Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) authorized to own and operate nuclear power plants.
However, discussions are underway to allow the participation of other public and private companies in future expansion plans.
Earlier this year, government sources revealed that India was planning to invite private companies to invest around USD 26 billion in the nuclear power sector, with negotiations underway to secure investments to support the construction of 11,000 MWe of new nuclear capacity by 2040.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

At COP29, six countries joined an ambitious declaration to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, bringing the number of signatories to 31, backed by major financial institutions.
EDF projects a strategic decision for its first six EPR reactors in 2026, with sites for eight additional ones to be determined the same year, as part of France's energy strategy.
EDF projects a strategic decision for its first six EPR reactors in 2026, with sites for eight additional ones to be determined the same year, as part of France's energy strategy.
Vietnam plans to reactivate its nuclear program, halted in 2016, to support rapid industrialization and meet increasing energy demands while aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Vietnam plans to reactivate its nuclear program, halted in 2016, to support rapid industrialization and meet increasing energy demands while aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Great British Nuclear evaluates technologies from GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Westinghouse to select the modular reactors that will shape the country’s energy future.
Great British Nuclear evaluates technologies from GE Hitachi, Holtec, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Westinghouse to select the modular reactors that will shape the country’s energy future.
At COP29, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasizes the inclusion of nuclear energy in climate financing, while targeting a regulated access approach for developing countries.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visits Iran to revive inspections and seek a diplomatic resolution on Iran's nuclear program amid growing international tensions.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visits Iran to revive inspections and seek a diplomatic resolution on Iran's nuclear program amid growing international tensions.
Niger opens its doors to Russian companies for the exploration of its natural wealth, marking a strategic shift as tensions persist with French companies, particularly over uranium.
Niger opens its doors to Russian companies for the exploration of its natural wealth, marking a strategic shift as tensions persist with French companies, particularly over uranium.
Framatome opens offices in Milan and Turin, marking a new step in Franco-Italian cooperation for the development of nuclear energy in Europe.
Framatome opens offices in Milan and Turin, marking a new step in Franco-Italian cooperation for the development of nuclear energy in Europe.
Poland strengthens its nuclear cooperation with Japan and the Netherlands, enhancing its capacity for its energy transition program.
A sample of radioactive debris from the Fukushima power plant has been secretly transported to a laboratory near Tokyo. This crucial step is part of the lengthy decommissioning process, which is expected to take several more decades.
A sample of radioactive debris from the Fukushima power plant has been secretly transported to a laboratory near Tokyo. This crucial step is part of the lengthy decommissioning process, which is expected to take several more decades.
EDF hopes to finalize new long-term electricity contracts with energy-intensive industries by the end of the year, despite criticism over high electricity prices, which threaten their competitiveness.
EDF hopes to finalize new long-term electricity contracts with energy-intensive industries by the end of the year, despite criticism over high electricity prices, which threaten their competitiveness.
EDF challenges Czech decision on nuclear contract awarded to KHNP
EDF challenges Czech decision on nuclear contract awarded to KHNP
Rwanda relies on Russia to train its nuclear energy specialists
Despite extreme weather conditions this summer, offline nuclear capacity in the United States decreased by 16% compared to 2023, thanks to a reduction in unplanned outages, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Despite extreme weather conditions this summer, offline nuclear capacity in the United States decreased by 16% compared to 2023, thanks to a reduction in unplanned outages, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The startup Calogena has taken a crucial step forward in its low-power nuclear boiler project for urban heating, submitting an application for approval to the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).
The startup Calogena has taken a crucial step forward in its low-power nuclear boiler project for urban heating, submitting an application for approval to the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).
For the first time since 2011, a sample of radioactive debris was extracted from the damaged reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. This breakthrough paves the way for new analyses essential to the decommissioning process.
For the first time since 2011, a sample of radioactive debris was extracted from the damaged reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. This breakthrough paves the way for new analyses essential to the decommissioning process.
During Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Paris, Emmanuel Macron strengthened the strategic partnership between France and Kazakhstan, offering French expertise to support the development of civilian nuclear energy in Kazakhstan.
The Nigerien junta criticizes Orano's suspension of activities, claiming the decision harms stakeholder commitments and lacks transparency, according to a document from the state-owned company Sopamin.
The Nigerien junta criticizes Orano's suspension of activities, claiming the decision harms stakeholder commitments and lacks transparency, according to a document from the state-owned company Sopamin.
The refusal by the U.S. energy regulator for an Amazon data center project powered by nuclear energy has led to a stock drop for several energy companies on the New York Stock Exchange.
The refusal by the U.S. energy regulator for an Amazon data center project powered by nuclear energy has led to a stock drop for several energy companies on the New York Stock Exchange.
GE Vernova partners with Worley Chemetics to manufacture a key component of the BWRX-300 modular reactor, aiming to enhance safety and stimulate Ontario's nuclear economy.
GE Vernova partners with Worley Chemetics to manufacture a key component of the BWRX-300 modular reactor, aiming to enhance safety and stimulate Ontario's nuclear economy.
Nearly thirteen years after the Fukushima disaster, Japan resumes operations at a nuclear reactor in the northeast, reinforced to withstand tsunamis, as the country accelerates its energy transition.
CEZ acquires a 20% stake in Rolls-Royce SMR to build small nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, aiming for stable and low-carbon energy.
CEZ acquires a 20% stake in Rolls-Royce SMR to build small nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic, aiming for stable and low-carbon energy.
On Monday morning, Greenpeace activists entered the Gravelines nuclear power plant site to highlight the marine submersion risks associated with future EPR reactors, emphasizing the site’s vulnerability to rising sea levels.
On Monday morning, Greenpeace activists entered the Gravelines nuclear power plant site to highlight the marine submersion risks associated with future EPR reactors, emphasizing the site’s vulnerability to rising sea levels.
The Swedish judiciary has approved the construction of a radioactive waste disposal site in Forsmark, a long-term project designed to ensure secure storage for 100,000 years.
The Swedish judiciary has approved the construction of a radioactive waste disposal site in Forsmark, a long-term project designed to ensure secure storage for 100,000 years.

Advertising