India's Nuclear Future: How Small Modular Reactors Could Transform Energy Production

SMRs are nuclear reactors designed to be small and modular.

As India prepares to liberalize its traditionally closed nuclear energy sector, a new trend is emerging: 'small is big'. On November 27, Prime Minister Modi announced plans to open the nuclear sector to private enterprises, creating opportunities in small modular reactors, advanced reactors, and nuclear innovation.

Anticipation grows for a potential landmark initiative on small modular reactors during the upcoming summit between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as part of the 'India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership'.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are currently the most exciting development in the global nuclear industry. They offer flexibility, enhanced safety features, and sustainability—making them particularly appealing to nations seeking clean, dependable energy sources. India is making significant investments in SMRs as it works toward achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear capacity and net-zero emissions by 2070.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her budget speech a Nuclear Energy Mission focused on SMR research and development with an allocation of Rs 20,000 crore. The plan aims to operationalize at least five indigenously developed SMRs by 2033.

SMRs are nuclear reactors with compact designs and modular construction capabilities. Dr. Alexander Volgin, Director of Projects for South Asia at Rosatom, explained to NDTV: "Small means they take less space than conventional nuclear power plants. Modular means, they are factory assembled and can be transported to the construction site."

Unlike traditional nuclear facilities requiring extensive infrastructure and lengthy construction periods, SMRs are compact and manufactured in factories. This modular approach significantly reduces construction time and cost overruns, making them suitable for remote regions or countries with smaller electrical grids.

However, small modular reactors typically cost four to five times more to build per megawatt of installed capacity. This limits their utility in India, where energy demands are substantial. Experts suggest that larger 700-1600 MW reactors may be more appropriate for meeting India's 100 Gigawatts target.

Dr. Ravi B Grover, Member of the Atomic Energy Commission of India, stated: "Large reactors are the most cost-effective option for India. The smaller the reactor, the higher the tariff per megawatt. We are currently at the peak of the hype curve for small modular reactors; reality will bring moderation before technology stabilizes."

Conventional plants like the 1000 MW Russian-made Kudankulam nuclear reactors in Tamil Nadu require hundreds of hectares of land. In contrast, Volgin notes, "typically, we are speaking about 15 to 17 hectares for SMRs." This reduced footprint makes SMRs suitable for islands, mountainous terrain, and areas where land availability is limited.

Russian SMRs, such as the RITM-200 design, produce approximately 55 megawatts of electricity and 200 megawatts thermal. They utilize uranium enriched up to 20 percent, higher than conventional reactors but still within safe civilian parameters.

"It's more enriched than a conventional fuel for pressurised water reactors. But it's not a highly enriched fuel," Volgin clarifies.

SMRs represent a global technological race. "It's a hype now. Most of the countries in the world are developing their own SMR. We have United States, France, India, China, and for sure, Russia is a pioneer in this field," Volgin observes.

China has already commissioned a land-based SMR generating about 100 MW electrical, while the US and France support numerous startups. Russia enjoys a unique advantage: decades of experience operating small reactors on nuclear icebreakers.

"Russian SMRs are not something new. We have used small reactors on icebreakers since the 1960s. The most modern version named RITM-200 is an evolution of these reactors," Volgin explains.

The appeal of SMRs lies in their flexibility and sustainability. "This reactor is really small. You can transport it either by train, or by railroad. And you can achieve a small construction time because it is already factory assembled," says Volgin.

In principle, SMRs can power remote areas, islands like Andaman and Nicobar, and industrial clusters without depending on extensive grid infrastructure. They can replace polluting diesel generators in isolated regions. "Nuclear energy is green. It's sustainable. These reactors can supply energy for five, six years without reloading," Volgin emphasizes.

Regarding safety, Volgin is definitive: "For sure. They combine passive and active systems. We have more than 400 reactor years of operation on icebreakers. No accidents at all. Accident tolerant, safe by design." This impressive safety record makes SMRs a credible option for countries like India that prioritize safety in nuclear expansion.

India aims to increase nuclear capacity to 100 gigawatts as part of its net-zero mission by 2070. Prime Minister Modi's recent announcement to allow private sector participation marks a historic shift in policy.

Volgin views this as an opportunity: "We already have a good background of cooperation with India. We are constructing more units at Kudankulam. We are ready to provide more energy, more reactors-large-scale, small-scale, floating units, and even advanced reactors."

India's Bhabha Atomic Research Center is developing a new small modular reactor under the Nuclear Energy Mission. Regarding potential co-development with India's Bharat SMR program, Volgin states, "If the Department of Atomic Energy and BARC invite us, for sure we will be pleased to cooperate on it."

While SMRs offer numerous advantages, they face challenges. "Maybe. Because the cost of reactors, of SMRs, is typically higher than the large-scale NPPs. The overall capital cost is smaller for SMRs than for large-scale units, but the electricity will be a little bit higher in the price," Volgin acknowledges.

Despite cost concerns, SMRs represent a strategic solution for clean, reliable energy. They can complement larger reactors, diversify technology, and deliver power to locations where larger plants are impractical.

As Volgin summarizes, "India is huge. Industries need green energy. I guess there will be a place for all the reactors-SMRs, large-scale units-depending upon the final aim to achieve."

Alok Mishra, Country Director, Westinghouse India said, "Small reactors are lower ticket investments and can mobilise private capital, but large reactors will continue to deliver economies of scale."