R&D initiated on small modular reactors
A plan is being implemented to increase nuclear power capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031-32 from the present capacity of 8,180 MW, Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on 12 Dec.
The Government has also accorded approval to carry out pre-project activities for 2 x 500 Mwe twin unit of FBR 1&2 project at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, to be implemented by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (Bhavini), the Government’s wholly-owned enterprise https://ins-india.org/.
Nuclear energy expansion is a part of the strategy to decarbonise country’s energy sector to transition the country’s energy mix towards Net Zero by 2070, he stressed http://dst.gov.in.
It is envisaged that small modular reactor can be deployed in remote areas where the total energy demand can be met by small reactors.
These plants can be deployed as captive power plants and hence connection to the main grid need not be criteria, said Dr Jitendra Singh.
He highlighted that the recently announced plans to deploy Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) (220 MWe PHWRs) and develop Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMRs) http://world-nuclear.org.
In this context, Research & Development has been initiated for BSMRs, he added https://www.bseindia.com/ .
The deployment of these reactors will be aimed at sector which have captive power requirements. Many countries have shown interest in collaborating with India for SMRs. The various options are in exploration stage at present https://www.iea.org/.
The Government has announced initiatives to set up Bharat Small Reactor and involve Private sectors in the nuclear energy programme of the country https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.
Supply Chain of BSRs are already established in the country with several in operation with excellent safety features and record continual operation. BSRs, today, are one of the cheapest amongst the SMRs in the world.
In addition, R&D for development of a Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) and new technologies for nuclear energy has been initiated, he informed the house https://www.nseindia.com/.
In the year 2023-24, nuclear power stations generated 47,971 million units of electricity and their contribution in the country’s total electricity generation was about 2.8%. fiinews.com
