Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 22, India has reported progress on its INR 20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission, focusing on the development of three small modular reactors (SMRs) to support energy transition and industrial needs.

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is advancing the construction of the Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR-200), which are designed to repurpose retiring thermal power plants and provide captive power to energy-intensive industries. In addition, the SMR-55 units are intended to supply electricity to remote and off-grid locations, while a High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) with a capacity of 5 MW-thermal is being developed for hydrogen production to support decarbonization in transport and process industries.

DAE outlined that the lead units of the reactors will be established at its existing sites. Subsequent SMR units will be deployed at locations provided by end-user industries for captive power applications, or at suitable brownfield sites where thermal power plants are being retired, subject to regulatory approvals.

The initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to expand low-carbon energy options while optimizing existing infrastructure. By repurposing retiring thermal plants and deploying modular reactors, the program aims to provide flexible, scalable, and reliable power to industrial and remote users, as well as to support hydrogen-based decarbonization pathways.

This development highlights India’s commitment to integrating advanced nuclear technology into its energy mix, offering a combination of electricity generation and hydrogen production capabilities to meet diverse sectoral needs. The SMRs are expected to provide a compact, cost-efficient, and rapid-to-deploy alternative to conventional large-scale nuclear units, enabling industry and remote regions to access clean energy without the need for extensive grid expansion.

Through this Nuclear Energy Mission, India plans to leverage modular nuclear technology to improve energy security, reduce emissions, and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon industrial and transport sector. The project also emphasizes regulatory oversight and site suitability, ensuring that deployment aligns with safety and operational standards.

Overall, the mission represents a significant step in India’s pursuit of sustainable and flexible nuclear energy solutions, combining electricity generation, hydrogen production, and efficient use of retiring infrastructure to address both industrial and remote energy demands.