Page 57 - NIS English 01-15 October, 2025

Nuclear Energy | SPECIAL REPORT

Indigenously Three-Stage Nuclear Power Program
Designed Reactors India is implementing a three-stage nuclear power program to make
Three types of Small Modular efficient use of its limited uranium resources, ensure long-term energy
Reactors (SMRs) are being security, and harness its vast thorium reserves.
indigenously designed and developed
by the Bhabha Atomic Research Expanding Nuclear n Currently, nuclear power
contributes approximately 3
Centre (BARC) for demonstration Power Capacity percent to the total electricity
purposes. These reactors are: n India’s nuclear power capacity has generation in the country.

n 200 MW Bharat Small Modular increased by 70 percent in the last n Nuclear power plants are
Reactor (BSMR) 10 years. expected to generate 56,681
n 55 MW Small Modular Reactor n The country is aiming for a 100 GW million units of electricity in
nuclear power capacity by 2047. 2024-25.
n 5 MW High Temperature Gas-
cooled Reactor for hydrogen MW of nuclear power capacity is currently
production, coupled with 15,300 under development through 21 new reactors
a suitable thermochemical
process.

n These reactors have received
preliminary approval
for construction. After
administrative approval, these
reactors are expected to be
completed within 60 to 72
months.

country stands at 8,880 MW, comprising 25 nuclear focusing on the research and development of Small
power reactors. In a written reply to Parliament, it Modular Reactors (SMRs). An allocation of Rs 20,000
was stated that the Nuclear Power Corporation of crore has been made for this initiative to develop at
India Limited (NPCIL) has 21 nuclear reactors, with least five indigenously designed and operated SMRs
a total capacity of 15,300 MW, at various stages of by 2033. The Nuclear Energy Mission aims to estab-
implementation. Furthermore, nine more reactors, lish large and small nuclear power plants, both on
including a Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, with a greenfield and brownfield sites, as well as captive
total capacity of 7,300 MW, are under construction power plants and off-grid applications in remote
by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited. locations. The objective of initiatives like the Nuclear
To achieve its target of 100 GW of nuclear power Energy Mission is to foster active participation from
capacity by 2047, the central government has the private sector and to enable research and devel-
launched the Nuclear Energy Mission in 2025-26, opment of SMRs and new advanced technologies. n

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