Executive Summary:
The Government of India's Department of Atomic Energy announced a Nuclear Energy Mission with the goal of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, contributing to Net Zero emissions by 2070. The mission includes developing indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033 and expanding nuclear energy capacity through various projects. The current installed capacity is 8780 MW, with plans to increase it to 22380 MW upon completion of ongoing projects.
Key Points / Main Content:
Nuclear Energy Mission:
* Target: 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.
* Objective: Contribute to Net Zero target by 2070 and cater base load currently supported by fossil fuels.
* Deployment: Large and small nuclear power plants in green fields, brown fields, as captive plants, and for off-grid applications.
* Partnership: Active collaboration with the private sector, R&D of SMRs, and enabling advanced technologies.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs):
* Development: Three indigenous SMR designs by BARC.
* 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR).
* 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor.
* 5 MWth High-Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (for hydrogen production).
* Approval: In-principle approval for construction of demonstration reactors.
* Timeline: Construction likely in 60-72 months after administrative sanction.
* Deployment Objective: Captive power, repurposing fossil fuel plants, and hydrogen production for decarbonization.
Current Nuclear Energy Capacity:
* Installed Capacity: 8780 MW (24 reactors), excluding RAPS1 (100 MW) under long-term shutdown.
* Reactors in Operation: KAPS3&4 (2x700 MW) and RAPP7 (700 MW) are commercially operational.
Future Expansion Plans:
* Reactors Under Implementation: 18 reactors with a total capacity of 13600 MW, including 500 MW PFBR.
* Target Capacity: 22380 MW upon completion of current projects.
* Technology: Deployment of reactors based on existing and new advanced technologies.
Uranium Exploration and Fuel Supply:
* Established Resources: 4,33,800t in-situ U3O8 resource in 47 uranium deposits across multiple states.
* Recent Discovery: 26,437t in-situ U3O8 resource in Jaduguda North Baglasai Mechua deposit, Jharkhand.
Safety Measures:
* Prioritization: Highest priority to safety in siting, design, construction, commissioning, and operation.
* Design Principles: Defense in depth, Redundancy, Diversity, and Failsafe design.
* Operational Procedures: Well-defined procedures performed by trained and licensed personnel.
* Regulatory Oversight: Continuous monitoring and review by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
Impact Analysis:
Government of India:
* Impact: Responsible for achieving the 100 GW nuclear capacity target and contributing to the Net Zero goal.
* Action Required: Implement policies and provide necessary approvals for nuclear projects.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE):
* Impact: Oversees the development and deployment of nuclear reactors and technologies.
* Action Required: Execute the Nuclear Energy Mission, develop SMRs, and expand uranium exploration.
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL):
* Impact: Involved in constructing and operating nuclear power plants, including SMRs in collaboration with DAE.
* Action Required: Collaborate with DAE on SMR projects and implement expansion plans.
Bhavini:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the 500 MW PFBR project.
* Action Required: Ensure the timely completion of the PFBR project.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB):
* Impact: Ensures the safety of nuclear power plants through continuous monitoring and review.
* Action Required: Maintain robust regulatory oversight and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Private Sector:
* Impact: Potential partners in the development and deployment of nuclear energy technologies.
* Action Required: Engage in collaborative projects and invest in nuclear energy initiatives.
Citizens of India:
* Impact: Will benefit from increased clean energy production and reduced carbon emissions.
* Action Required: Support and promote the adoption of nuclear energy.
Key Entities Referenced
Nuclear Energy Mission: An initiative by the Government of India to augment power production from nuclear energy, aiming for a target of 100 GW capacity by 2047.
100 gigawatt capacity: The target nuclear power capacity to be achieved by India by the year 2047, as part of the Nuclear Energy Mission.
Small Modular Reactor: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are being designed and developed indigenously for demonstration to contribute in industrial decarbonization and clean energy production.
BARC: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is designing and developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) indigenously for demonstration.
Kakrapar unit 3 and 4: Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) units 3 and 4, with a capacity of 2x700 MW, are in commercial operation.
Rajasthan Unit 7: Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) unit 7, with a capacity of 700 MW, is in commercial operation.
Jaduguda mine area: A uranium exploration site in Jharkhand, where additional uranium resources have been established.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board: The independent regulatory mechanism in place that continuously monitors and reviews the safety of nuclear power plants in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2943
ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025
NUCLEAR ENERGY MISSION
2943. SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) the salient features of Nuclear Energy Mission for developed India and the manner in which
it aims to achieve the target of 100 gigawatt capacity by the year 2047 through indigenous
technologies and advanced reactor designs;
(b) the current status of Small Modular Reactor projects to be developed by 2033 and the
estimated contribution of these reactors in industrial de-carbonization and clean energy
production;
(c) the details of current installed nuclear energy capacity of the country;
(d) the current status of Kakrapar unit 3 and 4 and Rajasthan Unit 7;
(e) the details of schemes for expansion of Nuclear Energy capacity in future;
(f) the current status of Uranium exploration and domestic fuel supply including exploration
at Jaduguda mine area; and
(g) the details of the safety measures adopted in accordance with international standards?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) The Government has announced an ambitious Nuclear Energy mission for Viksit Bharat
with a target of reaching a nuclear power capacity of 100 GW by 2047 to contribute
significantly in achieving the target of Net Zero by 2070. Its main features are to augment
power production from nuclear energy with least carbon emission and to cater the base load
requirement which is currently supported by fossil fuel base power plants. Nuclear energy
mission envisages deployment of large as well as small nuclear power plants in green fields,
in brown fields, as captive plants and for off-grid applications in remote locations. This
initiative aims for an active partnership with private sector, R&D of Small Modular
Reactors (SMRs) and enabling measures for new advanced technologies.(b) Three types of SMR are being designed and developed indigenously by BARC for
demonstration. These reactors are
200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor.
55 MWe Small Modular Reactor
5 MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor for hydrogen production by coupling
with suitable thermochemical process for hydrogen production.
In-principle approval has been obtained for construction of these demonstration reactors.
These demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt
of administrative sanction of projects. Lead units of BSMR & SMR are planned to be
installed at DAE sites in collaboration with NPCIL.
These plants are designed & developed considering deployment as captive power plant, for
repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based plants and for hydrogen production to support
transport sector with prime objective of decarbonization by increasing the penetration of
nuclear energy in industrial & transport sector.
(c) Presently, the installed nuclear power capacity in the country comprises of 24 reactors with
a total capacity of 8780 MW, excluding RAPS-1 (100 MW) which is under long term shut
down.
(d) KAPS-3&4 (2x700 MW) and RAPP-7 (700 MW) are in commercial operation.
(e) Presently, 18 reactors with a total capacity of 13600 MW (including 500 MW PFBR, being
implemented by BHAVINI) are at various stages of implementation. On their progressive
completion, the installed nuclear power capacity will reach 22380 MW from 8780 MW at
present. The target of 100 GW is planned to be achieved by deploying reactors based on
existing and new advanced technologies under development.
(f) Department has established 4,33,800t in-situ U O resource in 47 uranium deposits located
3 8
in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh,
Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. In recent years,
Department has established 26,437t in-situ U-oxide resource in Jaduguda North - Baglasai-
Mechua deposit, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand; which is the north-western continuity
of Jaduguda uranium deposit.(g) Highest priority is accorded to safety in all aspects of nuclear power viz. siting, design,
construction, commissioning and operation. Nuclear power plants are designed based on
the paramount safety principles of defense in depth, Redundancy, Diversity and Fail-safe
design features; thus, ensuring multiple barriers between the source of radioactivity and the
environment. The operations are performed through well laid out procedures by highly
qualified, trained and licensed personnel. There is a robust and independent regulatory
mechanism in place and safety of nuclear power plants is continuously monitored and
reviewed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
*****