Archive · 24 Jul 2025
India Developing Three Types of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
India is working on building three different types of small nuclear reactors.
These reactors are like smaller, more compact versions of the big nuclear plants we have now.
One type will make electricity, and another will make hydrogen, a clean fuel.
The government plans to put these reactors in specific locations.
Building them is expected to take about six years, and a lot of the materials will be made in India.
The aim is to create cleaner energy, reduce pollution, and help India move away from using older, polluting power plants.
India is developing three types of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
These SMRs include the 200 MWe Bharat SMR (BSMR), a 55 MWe SMR, and a 5 MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor.
The BSMR and SMR lead units will be installed at Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) sites with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
The 5 MWth GCR will be used exclusively for hydrogen production.
The project is designed to be deployed as captive power plants to support decarbonization.
- Who
- India, specifically the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
- What
- India is developing three types of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
- When
- Construction is estimated to take 60-72 months after approval.
- Where
- Lead units of BSMR and SMR are planned at DAE sites.
- Why
- To produce hydrogen, deploy as captive power plants, and support the transport sector for decarbonization.
Proponents
N/A
Environmental Impact
Proponents
Development of SMRs could reduce carbon emissions.
N/A
N/A
Multi-purpose
Proponents
SMRs can provide electricity as well as produce hydrogen fuel.
N/A
N/A
- Reactor Types
- 200 MWe BSMR, 55 MWe SMR, 5 MWth GCR
- Hydrogen Production
- 5 MWth GCR dedicated
- Estimated BSMR cost
- Rs 5,750 crore
- Hydrogen Production Technology
- Copper-Chloride (Cu-Cl) and Iodine-Sulphur (I-S) cycles
- Current Nuclear Capacity
- 8,880 MW