India Unveils Nuclear Expansion Plan to Power Net Zero 2070

Government has announced the Nuclear Energy Mission aimed at achieving a nuclear power generation capacity of 100 GWe by 2047. The Mission is positioned to help India reach Net Zero by 2070. It seeks to increase nuclear energy production with minimal carbon emissions and address the country’s base load power requirement, which is presently met largely through fossil-fuel-based plants. Under the Mission, funds have also been allocated for the research and development of small modular reactors (SMRs), targeting the design, development and operationalisation of indigenous SMRs by 2033.

Deployment Strategy for Large and Small Reactors

According to the Mission, India can reach its nuclear power target by using two types of large reactors such as the 700 MWe indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and imported advanced reactor, will be set up at new sites to quickly increase capacity.

Small reactors called small modular reactors (SMRs) including the 220 MWe Bharat Small Reactor (BSR-220), the 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and the 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) will be set up at locations. These smaller reactors can be used to replace old coal power directly to energy-intensive industries or provide electricity to remote areas that are not connected to the main grid. BARC has initiated the design and development of BSMR-200 and SMR-55, both based on pressurised water reactor technology.

RFPs Issued for Bharat Small Reactors

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for setting up Bharat Small Reactors (BSR) aimed at decarbonising hard-to-abate industries.

The Government has also announced plans to partner with private sector entities for deployment of the 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors. In line with this, NPCIL has released an RFP inviting Indian industries to participate within the existing legal framework for setting up BSR units for captive power generation. This is expected to support low-carbon industrial operations. During the Budget 2025 announcement, the Government stated that private sector participation will be enabled by amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act 1962.

BARC’s Ongoing R&D Initiatives

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is doing research in the field of nuclear, thorium-based reactors, nuclear waste management and safety related improvement. The Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) programme is expected to play an important role in the efficient, long term, self-sustainable utilizations of being pursued for long-term utilisation of thorium resources. To demonstrate the technologies involved, the design of a low power MSR has been initiated. As a part of this effort, development of special materials, fluoride salts and other related areas are underway.

In the field of nuclear waste management, efforts focus on reducing nuclear waste generation through recovery, reuse and recycling. R&D is being carried out on development of improved processes and reduce environmental discharges. The technologies like partitioning of long-lived radionuclides are being developed and implemented leading to reduction in waste volumes for disposal. This technology is also enabling recovery of specific radionuclides for societal application.

The Department has also strengthened containment safety through hydrogen and radionuclide management systems. Work is currently ongoing to retain radionuclides within the reactor vessel for the BSMR-200 design through internal and external vessel cooling measures.