Why Small Modular Reactors Matter
Nuclear energy is increasingly being positioned as a clean and reliable source capable of providing round-the-clock power with minimal carbon emissions. In this context, SMRs are seen as a promising technology for rapid decarbonisation, particularly for energy-intensive industries that require a continuous and stable power supply.
Unlike conventional large reactors, SMRs have lower land requirements due to enhanced safety features and smaller exclusion zones. This makes them suitable for deployment at brownfield sites, including retired coal-based power plants, as well as in off-grid or remote locations where conventional infrastructure is difficult to establish.
Key SMR Projects Under Development
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a constituent unit of the DAE, has initiated the design and development of multiple SMR systems. Among them is the 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), for which the detailed project report has already been approved, with pre-project activities currently underway.
Another major initiative is the 55 MWe SMR-55, which has received in-principle approval. Design detailing and the development of key prototype equipment for this reactor are presently in progress, indicating steady movement from concept to execution.
Hydrogen and Advanced Applications
In addition to electricity generation, India is also exploring advanced applications of SMR technology. A high-temperature gas-cooled reactor with a thermal capacity of up to 5 MWth is being developed specifically for hydrogen generation, aligning with India’s emerging green hydrogen ambitions.
The detailed project report for this reactor has been prepared, and financial and administrative approvals are being sought. Design detailing is simultaneously progressing, reflecting the government’s focus on integrating nuclear power with future clean fuel ecosystems.
Fuel Cycle and Waste Management Strategy
The DAE has emphasised that India’s extensive experience with indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) has provided expertise across the entire nuclear fuel cycle. This knowledge is now being leveraged for pressurised water-based SMRs.
Slightly Enriched Uranium is being considered as the fuel for proposed SMRs. Spent fuel reprocessing, a cornerstone of India’s nuclear strategy, will continue to focus on recovering valuable nuclear materials and reducing overall waste volumes through vitrification and secure storage in line with international practices.
Role in India’s 2047 Nuclear Vision
While India’s target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 will primarily rely on large reactors such as 700 MWe indigenous PHWRs and imported advanced designs at greenfield sites, SMRs are expected to play a critical supporting role.
Their ability to be deployed faster, operate flexibly with load-follow characteristics, and be manufactured through standardised designs makes them well-suited for addressing near-term decarbonisation challenges.
Policy Support and Industry Participation
The government highlighted that the SHANTI Act allows individuals and entities to undertake research, design, and innovation in nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes without requiring a licence. This provision is intended to encourage innovation and wider participation in developing next-generation reactor technologies.
According to the DAE, most SMR equipment can be manufactured by Indian industries with technological support from BARC, reinforcing the ‘Make in India’ vision within the strategic nuclear sector.
