Nuclear Energy in India : Updates
- Thread starter Himanshu
- Start date
India's NPCIL seeks proposals for privately funded small reactor projects
Thursday, 2 January 2025
India's nuclear power operator has issued a Request for Proposals from 'visionary Indian industries' to finance and build a proposed fleet of 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors to help decarbonize Indian industry.
NPCIL invites "visionary" industries to "join hands" in setting up BSRs. (Image: NPCIL)
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) describes Bharat Small Reactors - or BSRs - as compact 220 MW pressurized heavy water reactors that are tailored for "captive use". Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the July 2024 budget that the government would partner with the private sector to set up BSRs as part of efforts to open up India's nuclear power sector for private investments as part of its efforts to achieve net-zero goals.
BSRs are planned to be set up with private capital, within the existing legal framework and approved business models. According to the Request for Proposals, the industrial party - referred to as the user - will have the right to the plants' electrical output, but the plant assets, "for purpose of operation, will get transferred to NPCIL". The user is expected to use the power for its own captive power requirements, but could sell the electricity to other customers at a tariff determined by the Department of Atomic Energy, subject to Indian law and regulations.
The user would be responsible for all the capital and operating expenditure for the project from pre-project and throughout its "entire life cycle including reinstating the assets in case of any damage and decommissioning". The project would be constructed by the user under the supervision and control of NPCIL and transferred to NPCIL for operation on completion of construction.
The announcement of the Request for Proposals comes after Minister of State Jitendra Singh set out the government's vision for BSRs as part of its nuclear power program in a written answer to the Lok Sabha on 4 December.
"The standard 220 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), which has a proven safety and performance record, is being upgraded to reduce the land requirement and make it deployable close to the industries for use as a captive power plant. These reactors, termed as Bharat Small Reactors (BSR) are planned to address the decarbonization needs of industries like steel, aluminum, metals etc. Setting up of 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors is envisaged within the existing legal framework, broadly envisaging provision of land, cooling water and capital by the private entity, with the design, quality assurance and operation & maintenance by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), based
on agreed business models," he said.
"BARC is developing Small Modular Reactor for repurposing of retiring coal-based power plants and catering to power requirements at remote locations in the country."
BARC is the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, India's multi-disciplinary national nuclear research center. Users have until 31 March to submit proposals to the NPCIL.
India's NPCIL seeks proposals for privately funded small reactor projects
Thursday, 2 January 2025
India's nuclear power operator has issued a Request for Proposals from 'visionary Indian industries' to finance and build a proposed fleet of 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors to help decarbonize Indian industry.
NPCIL invites "visionary" industries to "join hands" in setting up BSRs. (Image: NPCIL)
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) describes Bharat Small Reactors - or BSRs - as compact 220 MW pressurized heavy water reactors that are tailored for "captive use". Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the July 2024 budget that the government would partner with the private sector to set up BSRs as part of efforts to open up India's nuclear power sector for private investments as part of its efforts to achieve net-zero goals.
BSRs are planned to be set up with private capital, within the existing legal framework and approved business models. According to the Request for Proposals, the industrial party - referred to as the user - will have the right to the plants' electrical output, but the plant assets, "for purpose of operation, will get transferred to NPCIL". The user is expected to use the power for its own captive power requirements, but could sell the electricity to other customers at a tariff determined by the Department of Atomic Energy, subject to Indian law and regulations.
The user would be responsible for all the capital and operating expenditure for the project from pre-project and throughout its "entire life cycle including reinstating the assets in case of any damage and decommissioning". The project would be constructed by the user under the supervision and control of NPCIL and transferred to NPCIL for operation on completion of construction.
The announcement of the Request for Proposals comes after Minister of State Jitendra Singh set out the government's vision for BSRs as part of its nuclear power program in a written answer to the Lok Sabha on 4 December.
"The standard 220 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR), which has a proven safety and performance record, is being upgraded to reduce the land requirement and make it deployable close to the industries for use as a captive power plant. These reactors, termed as Bharat Small Reactors (BSR) are planned to address the decarbonization needs of industries like steel, aluminum, metals etc. Setting up of 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors is envisaged within the existing legal framework, broadly envisaging provision of land, cooling water and capital by the private entity, with the design, quality assurance and operation & maintenance by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), based
on agreed business models," he said.
"BARC is developing Small Modular Reactor for repurposing of retiring coal-based power plants and catering to power requirements at remote locations in the country."
BARC is the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, India's multi-disciplinary national nuclear research center. Users have until 31 March to submit proposals to the NPCIL.
India's NPCIL seeks proposals for privately funded small reactor projects
Corporates like Reliance and Adani, as well as technology giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft that are heavily involved in AI and cloud storage, could choose this Small Modular Reactor (BSR) and utilize this affordable green energy source. Also can be used in Andaman Island
In the USA this is currently the trend.
Three tech companies eyeing nuclear power for AI energy
Amazon signs agreements for innovative nuclear energy projects to address growing energy demands
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Hmm, Gormint is asking Indian Dhandhomaxxers to finance this add on to take the responsibility. I don't think this gonna work.
Reactor vessel of Kudankulam reactor no. 6 has been shipped from Russia:
US removes 3 Indian entities from its restrictive list to spur civil nuclear cooperation:
Indian entities Indian Rare Earths, Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Center (IGCAR), and Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC)
pic shows fuel loading in a 700 mwe nuclear reactor. It took us 22 years to achieve it.
We neither enforce existing laws nor hold any one responsible when things go wrong, welcome to India. One thing which kept US companies on their toes was the liability, now they they will maximize profits by compromising safeguards & quality .
So if another bhopal disaster takes place , they will simply walk away free. Current govt is no different from the previous govts.
There will be a compliance authority (Dept. Atomic Energy) who will be monitoring the design, development, and maintenance principles. Once the proven process is implemented, you are mitigating the chances of failure. It's similar to designing PSLV by the private sector. So when the industry follows the process to design, develop, and test, it will have a better product. We need to support the private sector to come and invest in nuclear energy. The safety systems are 100% computerized automated systems.
After TATA & NTPC, another industry major is getting in on the BSR nuclear reactors. It's only a matter of time before other industry big wigs join in especially L&T and Adani:
Jindal Nuclear announces 18GWe nuclear power capacity by 2047
By ANI
ET Manufacturing
Feb 08, 2025, 01:33 PM
Jindal Nuclear Power Private Limited (Jindal Nuclear) part of the Naveen Jindal Group, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Jindal Renewables, one of India's leading green energy companies, has announced an ambitious plan to contribute 18GWe to India's nuclear power capacity. This strategic initiative aligns with the Government of India's Union Budget 2025 announcement, which targets 100GWe of Nuclear Power capacity by 2047, supporting sustainable economic growth led by low emission industrialization while significantly reducing the nation's CO2 footprint.
Under this plan, Jindal Nuclear will build, own and operate state-of-the-art nuclear power plants, leveraging advanced technologies to ensure world-class safety, operating efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Jindal Nuclear is the first in the Private Sector to express interest in investing in nuclear power to accelerate India's transition to a low-carbon economy, providing reliable, round-the-clock CO2 free energy.
"The Indian Government's vision to setup 100GWe nuclear energy by 2047 is exciting and visionary. At Jindal Nuclear, we are very bullish on nuclear energy and believe the private sector must play its role to realize this vision of 100GWe by 2047. Our 18GW nuclear development plan reflects our commitment to supporting India's CO2 free energy vision," said Mr. SK Sharma (Sr Advisor at Jindal Nuclear and former Chairman of NPCIL).
The 18GW nuclear energy programme will be developed over the next two decades, incorporating a diverse mix of advanced technologies, including Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs), Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and Gen-IV Reactors, as they reach deployment readiness. Jindal Nuclear aims to collaborate with global technology leaders, fostering innovation while maintaining world-class safety standards and operational excellence.
This landmark initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs across construction, operations, and ancillary sectors, driving significant contributions to India's economic growth. In addition to its energy ambitions, Jindal Nuclear is committed to community development around its project sites, with planned investments in education, healthcare, and local infrastructure, ensuring inclusive growth and socio-economic progress in the regions the company operates in.
The announcement by Jindal Nuclear underscores its unwavering commitment to Low CO2 industrialization led by CO2 free energy and its pivotal role in securing India's energy future for generations to come.
About Jindal Nuclear
Jindal Nuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jindal Renewable Private Limited and part of the Naveen Jindal group, is dedicated to advancing India's CO2 free energy future through strategic investments in the nuclear power sector, contributing to the nation's sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth.
Jindal Nuclear announces 18GWe nuclear power capacity By 2047 - ET Manufacturing
Jindal wants to set up 18 GWe. Given BSR is an improved/modular variant of the IPHWR-220, we can expect max power of the BSR to be around 200MWe. They would need to set up ~90 reactors to produce 18 GWe. Previously, we got news that TATA was planning to deploy some 40-50 BSRs over the next decade:
India Backs Small Nuclear Reactors to Power Heavy Industry
So, we are looking at a maximum of 130-140 BSRs from these 2 companies. If L&T, Adani et. al. gets involved we could see a maximum projected quantity of ~200 BSRs (~40 GWe).
Jindal Nuclear announces 18GWe nuclear power capacity by 2047
By ANI
ET Manufacturing
Feb 08, 2025, 01:33 PM
Jindal Nuclear Power Private Limited (Jindal Nuclear) part of the Naveen Jindal Group, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Jindal Renewables, one of India's leading green energy companies, has announced an ambitious plan to contribute 18GWe to India's nuclear power capacity. This strategic initiative aligns with the Government of India's Union Budget 2025 announcement, which targets 100GWe of Nuclear Power capacity by 2047, supporting sustainable economic growth led by low emission industrialization while significantly reducing the nation's CO2 footprint.
Under this plan, Jindal Nuclear will build, own and operate state-of-the-art nuclear power plants, leveraging advanced technologies to ensure world-class safety, operating efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Jindal Nuclear is the first in the Private Sector to express interest in investing in nuclear power to accelerate India's transition to a low-carbon economy, providing reliable, round-the-clock CO2 free energy.
"The Indian Government's vision to setup 100GWe nuclear energy by 2047 is exciting and visionary. At Jindal Nuclear, we are very bullish on nuclear energy and believe the private sector must play its role to realize this vision of 100GWe by 2047. Our 18GW nuclear development plan reflects our commitment to supporting India's CO2 free energy vision," said Mr. SK Sharma (Sr Advisor at Jindal Nuclear and former Chairman of NPCIL).
The 18GW nuclear energy programme will be developed over the next two decades, incorporating a diverse mix of advanced technologies, including Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs), Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and Gen-IV Reactors, as they reach deployment readiness. Jindal Nuclear aims to collaborate with global technology leaders, fostering innovation while maintaining world-class safety standards and operational excellence.
This landmark initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs across construction, operations, and ancillary sectors, driving significant contributions to India's economic growth. In addition to its energy ambitions, Jindal Nuclear is committed to community development around its project sites, with planned investments in education, healthcare, and local infrastructure, ensuring inclusive growth and socio-economic progress in the regions the company operates in.
The announcement by Jindal Nuclear underscores its unwavering commitment to Low CO2 industrialization led by CO2 free energy and its pivotal role in securing India's energy future for generations to come.
About Jindal Nuclear
Jindal Nuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jindal Renewable Private Limited and part of the Naveen Jindal group, is dedicated to advancing India's CO2 free energy future through strategic investments in the nuclear power sector, contributing to the nation's sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth.
Jindal Nuclear announces 18GWe nuclear power capacity By 2047 - ET Manufacturing
Jindal wants to set up 18 GWe. Given BSR is an improved/modular variant of the IPHWR-220, we can expect max power of the BSR to be around 200MWe. They would need to set up ~90 reactors to produce 18 GWe. Previously, we got news that TATA was planning to deploy some 40-50 BSRs over the next decade:
India Backs Small Nuclear Reactors to Power Heavy Industry
So, we are looking at a maximum of 130-140 BSRs from these 2 companies. If L&T, Adani et. al. gets involved we could see a maximum projected quantity of ~200 BSRs (~40 GWe).
Nuclear Power: How NTPC may steal a march over its competitors
NTPC is currently in talks with six-seven states for land to build nuclear power plants. The PSU will build both small and conventional reactors.
By Sweta Goswami
February 24, 2025 / 17:46 IST
Shares of NTPC Green Energy dropped over 6% after the company’s three-month shareholder lock-in period ended on February 24. This triggered a wave of sell-offs, with 18.33 crore shares (2% of the outstanding equity) now eligible for trading. While this doesn’t necessarily mean all these shares will flood the market, it has raised concerns about potential increased supply.
India’s largest power producer, NTPC Ltd, plans to go big on nuclear energy to meet India’s growing power demand through cleaner fuels. To do so, NTPC, unlike its private competitors, does not have to wait for the law to be amended, senior officials of the company told Moneycontrol.
This is because the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, allows any company whose board is appointed by the government of India to get into the nuclear business.
“NTPC is a government entity and unlike private companies, we do not have to wait for the Atomic Energy Act to be amended. Hence, we've gone ahead with our plans and registered our nuclear arm, which has been named NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam Ltd,” said a senior company executive on condition of anonymity.
Corporates such as the Adani group, Tata Power, Reliance Industries and L&T are open to investing in the nuclear energy sector. But being private firms, they will have to wait for the government to amend the law to begin their work.
This would make NTPC the only PSU other than the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), which is under the Ministry of Atomic Energy, to get into nuclear energy. NTPC comes under the Ministry of Power.
NTPC is currently in talks with six-seven states for land to build nuclear power plants. It has ruled out the northeast and states such as Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir due to potential seismic activities, officials told Moneycontrol.
Planning since 2010
Asked why NTPC had not got into nuclear power earlier if the laws permitted it to, the official said that NTPC had started planning to diversify into nuclear energy sometime around 2010.
“That was when we signed the agreement with NPCIL for a joint venture to build the 2.8 GW Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP). We had even recruited engineers and sent them for training at various NPCIL nuclear plants. We did everything that is done to start a new business, including manpower planning and so on,” the official said.
“But then Fukushima happened and the government sort of signalled that, `let's go slow on this.' So, almost all over the world nuclear power was paused. In India, we also decided to wait and see how we could make the nuclear plants really safe,” the official explained.
The Fukushima nuclear disaster, which occurred on March 11, 2011, was a major nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, triggered by a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that disabled the plant's cooling systems, leading to multiple reactor core meltdowns and the release of significant amounts of radioactive material into the environment.
Conventional nuclear reactors too
Apart from small modular reactors (SMRs), which are being promoted by the government for greater private participation, NTPC is also going to foray into conventional nuclear energy. The company is planning to have at least 30 gigawatt (GW) of nuclear energy capacity by 2045, for which it is planning to use a mix of technologies.
“NTPC is going to have both conventional reactors and SMRs in its nuclear fleet to meet India’s growing power demand with cleaner fuels,” NTPC Chairperson and Managing Director Gurdeep Singh said at the recently concluded India Energy Week this month.
SMRs are significantly smaller than a conventional nuclear power plant, generating much less electricity (typically under 300 megawatts) while offering advantages like quicker construction, greater flexibility in deployment, and enhanced safety features due to its modular design and smaller scale. SMRs are suitable for smaller grids or areas with limited space, whereas a conventional nuclear power plant produces significantly more electricity but requires a larger footprint and longer construction time.
India’s current nuclear power capacity is 8.18 GW, which is projected to grow to 22.48 GW by 2031-32, and eventually to 100 GW by 2047. To achieve this, India has announced a National Nuclear Energy Mission with a budgetary outlay of Rs 20,000 crore, for which laws are to be amended to enable private participation.
In his recent visit to the US and France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured commitments from President Donald Trump and President Emmanuel Macron, respectively, to build nuclear reactors in India.
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/b...al-a-march-over-its-competitors-12949018.html
NTPC is currently in talks with six-seven states for land to build nuclear power plants. The PSU will build both small and conventional reactors.
By Sweta Goswami
February 24, 2025 / 17:46 IST
Shares of NTPC Green Energy dropped over 6% after the company’s three-month shareholder lock-in period ended on February 24. This triggered a wave of sell-offs, with 18.33 crore shares (2% of the outstanding equity) now eligible for trading. While this doesn’t necessarily mean all these shares will flood the market, it has raised concerns about potential increased supply.
India’s largest power producer, NTPC Ltd, plans to go big on nuclear energy to meet India’s growing power demand through cleaner fuels. To do so, NTPC, unlike its private competitors, does not have to wait for the law to be amended, senior officials of the company told Moneycontrol.
This is because the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, allows any company whose board is appointed by the government of India to get into the nuclear business.
“NTPC is a government entity and unlike private companies, we do not have to wait for the Atomic Energy Act to be amended. Hence, we've gone ahead with our plans and registered our nuclear arm, which has been named NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam Ltd,” said a senior company executive on condition of anonymity.
Corporates such as the Adani group, Tata Power, Reliance Industries and L&T are open to investing in the nuclear energy sector. But being private firms, they will have to wait for the government to amend the law to begin their work.
This would make NTPC the only PSU other than the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), which is under the Ministry of Atomic Energy, to get into nuclear energy. NTPC comes under the Ministry of Power.
NTPC is currently in talks with six-seven states for land to build nuclear power plants. It has ruled out the northeast and states such as Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir due to potential seismic activities, officials told Moneycontrol.
Planning since 2010
Asked why NTPC had not got into nuclear power earlier if the laws permitted it to, the official said that NTPC had started planning to diversify into nuclear energy sometime around 2010.
“That was when we signed the agreement with NPCIL for a joint venture to build the 2.8 GW Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP). We had even recruited engineers and sent them for training at various NPCIL nuclear plants. We did everything that is done to start a new business, including manpower planning and so on,” the official said.
“But then Fukushima happened and the government sort of signalled that, `let's go slow on this.' So, almost all over the world nuclear power was paused. In India, we also decided to wait and see how we could make the nuclear plants really safe,” the official explained.
The Fukushima nuclear disaster, which occurred on March 11, 2011, was a major nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, triggered by a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that disabled the plant's cooling systems, leading to multiple reactor core meltdowns and the release of significant amounts of radioactive material into the environment.
Conventional nuclear reactors too
Apart from small modular reactors (SMRs), which are being promoted by the government for greater private participation, NTPC is also going to foray into conventional nuclear energy. The company is planning to have at least 30 gigawatt (GW) of nuclear energy capacity by 2045, for which it is planning to use a mix of technologies.
“NTPC is going to have both conventional reactors and SMRs in its nuclear fleet to meet India’s growing power demand with cleaner fuels,” NTPC Chairperson and Managing Director Gurdeep Singh said at the recently concluded India Energy Week this month.
SMRs are significantly smaller than a conventional nuclear power plant, generating much less electricity (typically under 300 megawatts) while offering advantages like quicker construction, greater flexibility in deployment, and enhanced safety features due to its modular design and smaller scale. SMRs are suitable for smaller grids or areas with limited space, whereas a conventional nuclear power plant produces significantly more electricity but requires a larger footprint and longer construction time.
India’s current nuclear power capacity is 8.18 GW, which is projected to grow to 22.48 GW by 2031-32, and eventually to 100 GW by 2047. To achieve this, India has announced a National Nuclear Energy Mission with a budgetary outlay of Rs 20,000 crore, for which laws are to be amended to enable private participation.
In his recent visit to the US and France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured commitments from President Donald Trump and President Emmanuel Macron, respectively, to build nuclear reactors in India.
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/b...al-a-march-over-its-competitors-12949018.html