Lok Sabha Question No. 564 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Construction of Small Modular Atomic Reactors
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO -564 ANSWERED ON  03/12/2025

## CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL MODULAR ATOMIC REACTORS

## 564.     SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  initiated/proposes  to  construct  small  modular  atomic reactors (SMRs) with capacity of 200 megawatt in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the salient features of these small atomic reactors;
- (c) whether the locations for setting up of these atomic reactors have been identified and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (d) the  objectives  behind  promoting  small  atomic  reactors  and  the  manner  in  which  they differ from conventional nuclear power plants;
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  include  private  sector  in  the  operation  of  these atomic reactors in the initial phase and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether  the  Government  has  set  any  target  regarding  increase  in  capacity  of  nuclear energy by 2047 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  environmental  safety, waste management and public awareness regarding these projects?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) & (b)  Yes, in Union Budget 2025 -26, the Government has allocated ₹20,000 crore  for the   design,  development,  and  deployment  of  Small  Modular  Reactors  (SMRs), aiming to operationalise indigenously developed SMRs by 2033.

Under Nuclear Energy Mission funds, have been allocated for R&D of 200 MWe Bharat  Small  Modular  Reactor  (BSMR-200)  which  is  in  advanced  stage  of obtaining administrative and financial sanction.

BSMR is  based  on  the  proven  pressurized  water  reactor  technology.  It  will  use Slightly  Enriched  Uranium  (SEU)  as  a  fuel.  It  has  been  provided  with  passive safety features as well as several engineered safety systems to ensure nuclear safety during off normal conditions.

- (c) Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, BARC has initiated design and development works on SMRs namely;
1. 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200). Lead unit proposed at Tarapur Atomic Power station site, Maharashtra.
2. 55  MWe  Small  Modular  Reactor  (SMR-55).  Lead  unit  proposed  to  be constructed at Tarapur.
3. Up  to  5  MWth  high  temperature  gas  cooled  reactor  meant  for  hydrogen generation. This reactor is proposed to be constructed at BARC Vizag, Andhra Pradesh.
- (d) SMR  is  a  promising  technology  in  industrial  decarbonization  especially  where there is a requirement of reliable and continuous supply of power. Small modular reactors are being developed with specific objectives of;
1. Repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based power plants,
2. Captive plants for energy intensive industries and
3. Off-grid applications for remote locations.

Small  Modular  Reactors  can  be  located  in  brown  field  sites  for  repurposing  of retiring  fossil  fuel  base  plants  in  off  grid  areas  and  as  captive  power  plants  in energy intensive industries where large plants cannot be located. They also enable reduce the construction time due to modular construction.

- (e) Government has announced to partner with private players for deployment of 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors (BSR).  Accordingly, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (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.
- (f) Government  of  India  has  set  the  target  of  achieving  100  GWe  installed  nuclear energy capacity by 2047 to contribute significantly in achieving the target of Net Zero by 2070.
- (g) Safety including environmental safety is accorded highest priority in setting up of nuclear  power  projects.  The  construction  of  nuclear  power  plants  is  commenced only after obtaining environmental clearance from Ministry of Environment, Forest and  Climate Change (MoEF&CC) following the due process.

Waste  management  facilities  are  an  integral  part  of  the  design  and  established along with the plants at the site.

Public awareness activities based on a multipronged approach to spread awareness about nuclear power projects and address any apprehensions in a credible manner are   ongoing. DAE regularly organise public awareness programme for educational institutions and villages around the plant sites to spread awareness about nuclear energy and to eradicate myths.

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