**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Government of India's response to a parliamentary question regarding the promotion of clean energy, specifically nuclear energy. It outlines the government's initiatives to increase nuclear power generation, including the establishment of new nuclear power plants, development of advanced reactor technologies, and private sector partnerships. The response provides details on the Nuclear Energy Mission's goals and progress in nuclear research, waste management, and safety improvements.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Nuclear Energy Mission:**
* Aims to achieve 100 GWe nuclear power generation capacity by 2047 to contribute to Net Zero target by 2070.
* Focuses on augmenting power production from nuclear energy with low carbon emissions to meet base load requirements.
* Allocates funds for R&D of small modular reactors (SMRs), targeting design, development, and operationalization of indigenous SMRs by 2033.
* **Reactor Deployment Plans:**
* Deployment of large reactors such as 700 MWe indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and large capacity imported advanced reactors.
* Deployment of SMRs, including 220 MWe Bharat Small Reactor (BSR-220), 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), and 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) in brown field sites for repurposing retiring fossil fuel-based power plants, captive plants for energy intensive industries and off-grid applications for remote locations.
* BARC has initiated design and development of BSMR-200 and SMR-55, based on pressurized water reactor technology.
* NPCIL has floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) for setting up Bharat Small Reactors (BSR) for decarbonisation of hard to abate industries.
* **Private Sector Participation:**
* Government to partner with private players for deployment of 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors (BSR).
* NPCIL has issued an RFP, inviting Indian industries to participate in setting up of BSR for captive power generation.
* Government to facilitate active private sector participation by undertaking amendments to Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act 1962.
* **Nuclear Research and Development:**
* Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is pursuing R&D in nuclear research, thorium-based reactors, nuclear waste management, and safety related improvement.
* The Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) is expected to play a role in utilizing thorium resources.
* A low power demonstration molten salt reactor design has been initiated.
* Efforts are in progress to reduce nuclear waste generation through recovery, reuse and recycle.
* Hydrogen and radionuclide management system has been improved.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Industries**
* **Impact:** Industries, particularly those with high energy demands and those seeking to decarbonize, will have opportunities to participate in setting up BSR for captive power generation.
* **Action Required:** Consider responding to NPCIL's Request for Proposal (RFP) to participate in setting up BSR for captive power generation.
**Stakeholder: Private Sector Investors**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to invest in nuclear power projects, with potential facilitation through amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act 1962.
* **Action Required:** Evaluate potential investment opportunities and monitor updates regarding legislative amendments facilitating private sector participation.
**Stakeholder: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)**
* **Impact:** Continued focus on R&D in the field of nuclear research, thorium-based reactors, nuclear waste management and safety related improvements.
* **Action Required:** Continue R&D efforts in the areas outlined.
**Stakeholder: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for setting up Bharat Small Reactors (BSR) for decarbonisation of hard to abate industries.
* **Action Required:** Continue R&D efforts in the areas outlined.
Key Entities Referenced
Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat: Aims to achieve nuclear power generation capacity of 100 GWe by 2047 and contribute significantly in achieving the target of Net Zero by 2070.
Department of Atomic Energy: Oversees nuclear power development and research.
Bharat Small Reactor (BSR): 220 MW Small modular reactor planned for deployment through private partnerships.
Atomic Energy Act 1962: Legislation governing nuclear activities, to be amended.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): Pursuing R&D in the field of nuclear research, thorium-based reactors, nuclear waste management and safety related improvement.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO–588
ANSWERED ON 03/12/2025
PROMOTION OF CLEAN ENERGY
588. SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA
Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-
(a) the action taken/being taken by the Government to promote clean energy in the
country by establishing new nuclear power plants, expanding existing ones and
developing new technologies such as advanced reactors, light water reactors and small
modular reactors (SMRs);
(b) whether the Government has formulated any new policy, investment plan or new
model for private sector participation to increase the share of nuclear energy to meet
the clean energy targets by 2030 and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of new projects related to nuclear research, thorium-based reactors, nuclear
waste management and safety related improvement in the country and current
progress thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS
AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat aims to achieve nuclear power generation
capacity of 100 GWe by 2047 to contribute significantly in achieving the target of Net
Zero by 2070. It envisages 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. Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, fund
have also been allocated for R&D of small modular reactors targeting design,
development and operationalisation of indigenous SMRs by 2033.The envisaged power generation capacity can be achieved by deployment of;
i) Large reactors such as 700 MWe indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water
Reactors (PHWRs) and large capacity imported advanced reactor designs at green
field sites for rapid expansion.
ii) Small modular reactors (SMR) such as 220 MWe Bharat Small Reactor (BSR-
220), 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), and 55 MWe Small
Modular Reactor (SMR-55) in brown field sites for;
a. Repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based power plants,
b. Captive plants for energy intensive industries and
c. Off-grid applications for remote locations.
BARC has initiated design and development of BSMR-200 and SMR-55. These
SMRs are based on pressurised water reactor technology.
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) a Public Sector Undertaking
under DAE has also floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) for setting up Bharat Small
Reactors (BSR) for decarbonisation of hard to abate industries.
(b) Government has announced to partner with private players for deployment of 220
MW Bharat Small Reactors (BSR). Accordingly, NPCIL has issued a Request for
Proposal (RFP) within the existing legal framework, inviting Indian industries to
participate in setting up of BSR for captive power generation, to provide a
sustainable, low-carbon energy solution for industries, enabling them to decarbonize
their operations. During Budget 2025 announcement, the Government has announced
that active private sector participation will be facilitated by undertaking amendments
to Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act 1962.
(c) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is pursuing R&D in the field of nuclear
research, thorium-based reactors, nuclear waste management and safety related
improvement. The details are as mentioned below;
The Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) is expected to play an important role in the efficient,
long term, self-sustainable utilization of thorium resources. In order to demonstrate
the technologies involved, the design of a low power demonstration molten salt
reactor 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 are in progress to reduce nuclear
waste generation through recovery, reuse and recycle. R&D is being carried out on
development of improved processes to achieve better decontamination factors 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.
Department has improved containment safety by putting hydrogen and radionuclide
management system and currently working on retaining the radionuclides within the
reactor vessel for BSMR-200 by employing internal and external vessel cooling.
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