Lok Sabha Question No. 588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Promotion of Clean Energy
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha

## 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 (BSR220),  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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