SOURCE: AFI
In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s nuclear energy capabilities, the “concept design” stage of the Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) has been successfully completed and is now awaiting approval, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha. This milestone marks a pivotal moment in India’s pursuit of sustainable, indigenous nuclear power solutions, aligning with the nation’s ambitious goals for energy security and carbon neutrality. Once sanctioned, the BSMR project is expected to take 60-72 months for construction, paving the way for a new era of compact, efficient nuclear reactors tailored to India’s unique needs.
The Bharat Small Modular Reactor is an evolution of India’s existing 200 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), a proven design that forms the backbone of the country’s nuclear power program. Developed through a collaborative effort between the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), the BSMR aims to adapt the PHWR platform into a smaller, modular configuration without compromising on safety or efficiency.
Unlike traditional large-scale reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs) are designed to be compact, scalable, and easier to deploy, making them ideal for diverse applications, including powering remote regions, industrial clusters, or supplementing the grid in areas where large reactors may be impractical. The BSMR will operate using “slightly enriched uranium” as fuel, a shift from the natural uranium used in standard PHWRs, which could enhance fuel efficiency and reactor performance while maintaining India’s focus on leveraging its domestic nuclear fuel cycle expertise.
Dr. Jitendra Singh’s statement to the Lok Sabha underscores the structured timeline for the BSMR project. With the concept design phase completed, the project now awaits formal approval from the relevant authorities, likely involving the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and other governmental bodies overseeing nuclear safety and regulation. Once sanctioned, the construction phase is estimated to span 60 to 72 months—approximately five to six years—a relatively short timeline for nuclear reactor development, reflecting the advantage of building on an established PHWR design.
The BSMR’s development timeline also highlights India’s growing expertise in nuclear engineering and project management. By leveraging existing technologies and infrastructure, BARC and NPCIL aim to streamline the construction process, minimizing delays that often plague large-scale nuclear projects globally.
The development of the BSMR comes at a critical juncture for India, as the nation seeks to expand its clean energy portfolio to meet growing electricity demand while adhering to global climate commitments. Nuclear power, with its low carbon footprint and ability to provide stable baseload electricity, is a vital component of India’s energy strategy. As of now, nuclear power contributes around 3% of India’s total electricity generation, with a capacity of 7,480 MW from 22 operational reactors. The government aims to triple this capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031, and SMRs like the BSMR could play a pivotal role in achieving this target.
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