Nuclear Energy in India : Updates

New Delhi: Union Minister Jitendra Singh has announced that North India's first nuclear power project is being developed in Gorakhpur, Haryana. The project is part of India's broader efforts to expand its nuclear energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions.

The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Maharashtra, which will be the country's largest nuclear power facility once completed. The project, which has faced delays due to changes in agreements with French stakeholders, is now moving forward with technical agreements finalized and commercial negotiations underway.

Jaitapur project and environmental clearance

Jitendra Singh addressed concerns raised in the Lok Sabha regarding the Jaitapur project, stating that its environmental clearance is under renewal and that necessary safeguards have been put in place. He reiterated the government's confidence in the project's safety, dismissing objections related to its location in a seismic zone and potential risks to marine life.

"Concerns about risks to marine life and local livelihoods have been raised repeatedly, and every time, the government has tried to allay all these apprehensions that there is no such risk to the marine life, the fisheries, or the people living around," Singh said. He clarified that the project's environmental clearance, which expired in December 2022, was delayed due to procedural reasons rather than new environmental concerns. "If there were very serious environmental hazards or any apprehension or evidence, then we would not have got the environmental clearance even earlier," he added.


Jaitapur to contribute 10 per centof India's nuclear energy target

The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant will have six reactors, each with a capacity of 1,730 MW, making a total of 10,380 MW. The project is expected to contribute 10 per centto India's 100 GW nuclear energy target by 2047.

The minister also addressed concerns about nuclear liability, stating that India's Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) framework ensures clear safeguards. The primary responsibility lies with the operator, and an insurance pool of ₹1,500 crore has been set up, with additional government commitments if needed. India has also aligned with global compensation mechanisms to ensure financial security in case of an incident.


Private sector participation in nuclear energy

In a significant policy move, the government is opening the nuclear energy sector to private participation to accelerate expansion. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant in Haryana as part of this broader strategy.

With India targeting net-zero emissions by 2070, the Jaitapur and Gorakhpur projects are expected to play a crucial role in the country's clean energy transition.


North India's first nuclear project coming up in Haryana: Govt
They should just commit to EPR2 without overthinking. It will take 10-12 years. Money wont be that much of an issue for such long timescale.

There could be roadblocks for EPR2 due to the requirement of pre existing operational plants with the same design. Perhaps they can exclude this since it is an evolutionary design.

The EPR2 requires 250 types of pipes instead of 400 for the EPR, 571 valves instead of 13,300 valves for the EPR, and 100 types of doors instead of 300 in the EPR. The EPR2 also uses more prefabricated components, and the electrical buildings can be completely prefabricated. The fourth emergency/safety cooling system/train of the reactor is removed which means maintenance can only be performed when the plant is shut down. This train was added at the request of German electricians in the original EPR design to allow for on-power maintenance. The core catcher has been modified, It has a net power output of 1670 MWe
 
New Delhi: Nuclear power projects that will add 14.3 GW of renewable energy capacity are in different stages of implementation in India, the power ministry told Parliament on Thursday.

According to data provided by the ministry, 7.3 GW of nuclear power capacity is already under construction.

"In addition to under-construction 7,300 MW nuclear power capacity, an additional capacity of 7,000 MW is also under implementation, at pre-project activities stage," Union minister of state for power Shripad Naik said in a written reply.


Currently, India has an installed nuclear power capacity of 8.18 GW and the government aims to triple the capacity by 2032.

However, Naik outlined some key challenges in developing nuclear power projects, including suitable sites and their acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement, environment clearances, local issues, and timely supplies of equipment.


"Further, there are high upfront costs of reactors, regulatory requirements, and the dependency on imported nuclear fuel," he told the Lok Sabha.


Small modular reactors in focus​

Amid the limited availability of large land parcels, the Centre is now also focusing on developing small modular reactors in the country. The Union budget for FY26 proposed a mission to deploy 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047.

The mission aims to provide a reliable alternative to fossil fuels with an objective to replace retiring thermal power-plants, set up captive plants for energy intensive industries and providing energy for remote as well as off-grid locations in order to decarbonize the energy sector.

In another statement to Parliament, Union minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology, atomic energy and space Jitendra Singh said the department of atomic energy is designing and developing 'Bharat Small Modular Reactor - 200MWe', 'Small Modular Reactor (SMR) - 55Mwe', and gas-cooled high-temperature reactors for producing hydrogen.

A fund of ₹20,000 crore has been allocated in this year's budget for deployment of five SMRs in the country by 2033.

Further, the Centre has also announced to partner with the private sector for setting up Bharat Small Reactor (BSR), following which Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) has floated a Request-for-Proposal to private industries to finance and build small-sized 220 MW pressurized heavy water reactor-based nuclear power plants as captive plants for electricity production.

A task force has been constituted in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to look into the amendments required in the Atomic Energy Act, Singh informed the Rajya Sabha. The task force has members from DAE, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), NPCIL, NITI Aayog, ministry of law and justice and ministry of external affairs. It is looking into various aspects like build, own, operation of nuclear power plants by private sector, nuclear safety, security, safeguards, fuel procurement, waste, management, spent fuel reprocessing among others.

In addition, a separate task force is also looking into Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND Act) to address the concerns raised by private suppliers, Singh informed the parliament.
 
2 Task Forces to Amend the Atomic Energy Act to Enable Private Participation in Nuclear Energy

A task force has been constituted in Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to look into the amendments required in the Atomic Energy Act to enable participation of private sector in line with India’s Nuclear Energy Mission, stated Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.


He further informed that this task force has members from DAE, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), NITI Aayog, Ministry of Law and Justice (MoLJ) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).


The Task Force is looking into various aspects like build, own, operation of nuclear power plants by private sector, nuclear safety, security, safeguards, fuel procurement/fabrication, waste, management, spent fuel reprocessing, etc.


In addition, a separate Task Force is also looking into Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND Act) to address the concerns raised by private suppliers, informed Singh.This comes as in Financial Year 2024-25, as part of Budget announcement, policy directive has been set to partner with the private sector for setting up Bharat Small Reactor (BSR), and in pursuance of the same, NPCIL has floated Request-for-Proposal to private industries to finance and build small-sized 220 MW-PHWR based NPPs as captive plants for electricity production.


Singh said that DAE is designing and developing Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) – 200 MWe, Small Modular Reactor (SMR) – 55 Mwe, and gas-cooled high-temperature reactor meant for hydrogen production.The nuclear energy mission announced in the budget-2025 envisages deployment of 100 GWe of nuclear energy by 2047, which is essential for NetZero by 2070. The mission aims to provide reliable energy alternative to fossil fuel energy sources with an objective to replace retiring thermal power-plants, set up captive plants for energy intensive industry and providing energy for remote as well as off-grid location with objective to decarbonise the energy sector. Fund of INR 20,000 crore has been allocated in the Budget 2025 for deployment of five SMRs by 2033.
 
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Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, while addressing the Lok Sabha today, reaffirmed the government's commitment to nuclear energy expansion, safety protocols, and private sector participation in India's nuclear power sector. Responding to a parliamentary discussion on nuclear power plants, he emphasized the unprecedented growth in reactor installations and advancements in nuclear energy generation over the past decade.

Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted Rajasthan's significant contribution to India's nuclear energy sector, stating that the state houses seven of the country’s 25 operational reactors. He noted that a previously non-functional unit has been revived, further strengthening the state’s nuclear output. Additionally, he announced the establishment of a new reactor in Gorakhnagar, Haryana, marking a geographical expansion of India’s nuclear infrastructure beyond its traditional strongholds in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

He also pointed to the 2017 decision by the Union Cabinet, which granted bulk approval for 10 new reactors in a single sitting—an unprecedented move in India’s nuclear history. The recent Union Budget has further bolstered the nuclear sector with the announcement of a dedicated nuclear mission, which includes significant budgetary allocations. "Before 2014, the total budget of the Department of Atomic Energy stood at Rs 13,879 crore. This year, it has expanded to Rs 37,483 crore, marking a 170% increase," he said, underscoring the government's focus on nuclear energy growth.

The Minister stressed that India's nuclear energy policy is moving towards greater private sector involvement. "The Prime Minister has decided to open up the nuclear sector to private players, ensuring a larger resource pool and faster development," he stated. This move aligns with global best practices, allowing India to enhance its nuclear power capabilities while reducing dependency on public funds. He noted that nuclear power generation capacity has increased from 22,480 MW in 2014 to 35,333 MW currently, while installed capacity has doubled from 4,780 MW to 8,880 MW.

On safety measures, Dr. Jitendra Singh assured the House that stringent protocols are in place to safeguard plant workers and nearby communities. He emphasized that India follows a "safety first, production next" approach, with periodic monitoring every three months during construction, biannual checks during operation, and a comprehensive review every five years. He cited a Tata Memorial study, which found that radiation-related health concerns such as birth defects and cancer prevalence around nuclear plants remain below the national average. He also stated that radiation levels in India's nuclear plants remain significantly below the safety threshold, with a steady decline in radiation generation over the years.

Addressing concerns about nuclear waste disposal, Dr. Jitendra Singh clarified that India follows global best practices for safe storage. "Each nuclear plant stores its waste on-site for the first five to seven years. After that, it is shifted to an 'Away From Reactor' (AFR) facility for long-term storage and eventual reuse," he explained. He also dispelled rumours about Kudankulam and Kalpakkam being used as central waste repositories, reiterating that each facility is self-sufficient in waste management. He highlighted that the Kudankulam plant’s radiation levels have reduced from 0.081 micro-sieverts in 2014 to 0.002%, while the Kalpakkamplant’s levels have decreased from 23.140 micro-sieverts to 15.96 micro-sieverts.


Regarding uranium exploration in Rajasthan, the Minister acknowledged that environmental clearances are pending but assured that the process is being actively pursued. "Once clearances are secured, Rajasthan will contribute significantly to India’s uranium reserves, further boosting the country’s atomic energy program," he said.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also provided updates on the progress of nuclear projects in Madhya Pradesh. He stated that the Chutka Nuclear project has completed most procedural formalities, including environmental clearance and land acquisition, while challenges related to resettlement and rehabilitation are being addressed in consultation with the state government. The Shivpuri project, meanwhile, is awaiting final arrangements for water supply, and discussions are ongoing. He hinted that further expansion under the nuclear mission could eventually include the Khandwa region.

With India’s nuclear energy capacity rapidly expanding and strict safety measures in place, Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated the government’s vision for a robust, safe, and self-sufficient nuclear sector. "We are committed to expanding nuclear power as a clean energy source, ensuring safety, and embracing private sector participation to achieve self-reliance in nuclear technology," he concluded.


Safety First, Expansion Next: Government Strengthens Nuclear Power with Stringent Measures, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh
 
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India working on 3 types of small modular reactors: Union minister​

Union minister Jitendra Singh has said India's nuclear scientists are working on three types of new reactor technologies to realise the plan of rolling out small modular reactors in the next decade. Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science and Technology, and Earth Sciences told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that three reactor technologies -- 200 MW and 55 MW Pressurised Water Reactors and 5 MW Indian Gas Cooled Reactors -- were being developed and the government plans to roll out a fleet of Bharat Small Reactors to meet its green energy target. In the Union Budget, the government said India aimed to produce 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047 and half of it would be met by the state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).

Singh shared plans to make prototype demonstration reactors for establishing technology for the design, construction and operation of new reactors before commercial deployment. He said the 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) was a completely indigenous Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) that can be deployed as a captive plant for energy-intensive industries such as aluminium, steel and metal.

"The Small Modular Reactor (SMR) 55 MWe is also a Pressurised Water Reactor with a highly modular block type design. Exclusion zone for this reactor is not beyond plant boundary," Singh said. "These reactors are suitable for providing energy for remote as well as off-grid locations with the objective to decarbonise the energy sector," the minister said.

Singh said the conceptual design of the Indian Gas Cooled Reactor (IGCR) (5 MWth) was being carried out. "The high-temperature reactor will be coupled with plant utilizing thermo-chemical process for demonstration of hydrogen production for decarbonisation of transport sector and process industries," he said.

Singh said demonstration units of these reactors are planned to be installed at Department of Atomic Energy sites. "These demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt of project sanctions," he said. Singh said the Rs 20,000 crore allocated in Union Budget-2025 was for the development of five indigenous SMRs by 2033.


@Gautam @Ashwin @randomradio
 
Union minister Jitendra Singh has said India's nuclear scientists are working on three types of new reactor technologies to realise the plan of rolling out small modular reactors in the next decade.
Very nice. A comprehensive small modular reactor plan. Not a halfhearted attempt.
He said the 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) was a completely indigenous Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) that can be deployed as a captive plant for energy-intensive industries such as aluminium, steel and metal.
This is obviously the modernized version of the proven IPHWR-220.

"The Small Modular Reactor (SMR) 55 MWe is also a Pressurised Water Reactor with a highly modular block type design. Exclusion zone for this reactor is not beyond plant boundary," Singh said. "These reactors are suitable for providing energy for remote as well as off-grid locations with the objective to decarbonise the energy sector," the minister said.
The only Indian reactor that has a power rating close to 55 MWe is the CLWR-B2. Obviously because it is a naval reactor, the design is highly modular. Are they planning to make a civilian version of this reactor?

Singh said the conceptual design of the Indian Gas Cooled Reactor (IGCR) (5 MWth) was being carried out. "The high-temperature reactor will be coupled with plant utilizing thermo-chemical process for demonstration of hydrogen production for decarbonisation of transport sector and process industries," he said.
Indian High Temperature Reactor (IHTR) is now called Indian Gas Cooled Reactor (IGCR). BARC was prototyping a 20 MWth IHTR called the CHTR. Don't know if they got funding for this.

IGCR seems to be a miniature version of the CHTR:
Indian High Temperature Reactor (IHTR):
"BARC is also developing the Indian High Temperature Reactor (IHTR) with an aim to provide high temperature process heat for hydrogen production by thermochemical water splitting. This reactor is a molten salt cooled pebble bed type reactor. It uses TRISO type particle fuel made into form of pebbles, cooled with molten fluoride salts. Thus, coolant temperatures up to 665°C can be reached which allows for efficient interface with hydrogen plant. Currently, a 20 MWth IHTR is being designed as demonstration reactor named Compact High Temperature Reactor (CHTR).
1713607495862.png

1713607519996.png


Development of high temperature heat pipes, facility for graphite oxidation studies, TRISO coated particle fuel, fuel pellet fabrication, Niobium alloy and components of test loop, machining of graphite components for IHTR experimental facility, thermal hydraulic studies on coolants have been completed."
1713607688098.png

The CHTR was supposed to be the test reactor for the IHTR design. Eventually, BARC wanted to make a much larger variant of this design:
IHTR will be optimized for Hydrogen production not electricity generation. IHTR will have the following specs:
1713753501640.png
 
Isn't it the modular reactor a Pressurized water reactor which uses light water as opposed to IPHWR which is Pressurized heavy-water reactor
It has been reported many times by many different news agencies that the BSMR is based on the IPHWR-220. When the minister said PWR instead of PHWR, I assumed that he mis-spoke.

I think it will be based on the CLWR-B2 reactor rather than IPHWR-220
The B2 has a thermal power rating of 190 MW. BSMR is supposed to have an electrical power rating of 200 MW. B2 reactor would need to be scaled up ~4 times for it to produce ~200 MWe.
 
Key nuclear deal breakthrough: US clears firm to build and design n-reactors in India

Subject to IAEA safeguards, Holtec can transfer tech to L&T, Tata, subsidiary

Written by Anil Sasi
New Delhi | Updated: March 30, 2025, 07:33 IST
1743313987948.png
PM Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump. (File)

TWO decades after it was inked, decks have been cleared to tap the commercial potential of the India-US civil nuclear deal with an unprecedented regulatory clearance from the US Department of Energy (DoE) that will allow a US company to build and design nuclear reactors in India.

The March 26 approval from DoE cleared Holtec International’s application for specific authorisation with respect to the restrictive regulation that is referred to as “10CFR810”. (Part 810 of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954).

This authorization permits Holtec, with conditions, to transfer “unclassified small modular reactor (SMR) technology” to three firms in India: its regional subsidiary Holtec Asia; Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd; and Larsen & Toubro Ltd. Holtec International is promoted by Indian-American Kris P Singh and has its wholly owned subsidiary Holtec Asia operating an engineering unit in Pune since 2010 and has a manufacturing unit in Dahej, Gujarat.

Holtec’s original request included three additional proposed Indian end-users: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), thermal utility NTPC Ltd., and the Atomic Energy Review Board (AERB). But the Government of India did not provide the requisite non-proliferation assurances for these three state-owned entities.

As per the approval, Holtec may, in the due course, request to amend this authorisation to add NPCIL, NTPC, and AERB as authorised end users. The latest authorisation has been granted for 10 years from the date of issuance, subject to a review at 5-year intervals.

The authorisation is also subject to assurances from the Government of India extended on March 3, 2025 that the three selected private entities — L&T, TCE, and Holtec Asia — will use the technology and information transferred from Holtec only for “peaceful nuclear activities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and not for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or for any military purpose”.

This clears one significant roadblock.

So far, the regulation, while giving US companies, such as Holtec, the ability to export equipment to countries such as India under strict safeguards, explicitly barred them from manufacturing any nuclear equipment or performing any nuclear design work in India. This provision was a non-starter from New Delhi’s perspective, which wanted to participate in manufacturing SMRs and co-produce the nuclear components for its domestic needs.

The March 26 authorization lists key conditions: that the technology and information or items “derived therefrom” will not be “retransferred to any other entity or end user in India or to other countries except the United States without the prior written consent of the Government of the United States”; and that the “Indian End Users” are authorized by the Government of India to receive the subject Part 810-controlled nuclear technology.

Holtec International will also have to file quarterly reports to DoE on the technology and assistance provided to the end users under this authorisation. Importantly, it also requires that Holtec “Part 810-controlled technology” is only used for peaceful nuclear activities under IAEA safeguards and not for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, and “not for marine or for naval propulsion activities, or any military purpose”; and that it will not provide the Indian partners with access to “enrichment technology or Sensitive Nuclear Technology”.

This comes weeks after an announcement on renewed nuclear cooperation between the two countries to “fully realise” the US-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement, marking a significant diplomatic upside for India.

At a time when the Trump administration has been extremely transactional on the issue of balancing trade deficits and supporting US manufacturing, the commitment to move forward on plans to jointly build US-designed nuclear reactors in India — through large scale localisation and possible technology transfer — is being seen as a significant diplomatic gain for India.

The new deal potentially offers a chance for India’s nuclear sector to upgrade its reactor specialization to those in use across much of the world and scale up capacity addition against the current glacial pace of project development.

1743314102355.png

Cutout of IPHWR-220 reactor.

The plan to leverage private sector capabilities to get into the niche, but growing, SMR space is also significant. Though India’s civil nuclear program has expertise in manufacturing smaller reactor types – 220MWe PHWRs (pressurised heavy water reactors) and above – the problem for India is its reactor technology.

Based on heavy water and natural Uranium, PHWRs are increasingly out of sync with the pressurized water reactors or PWRs (a light-water nuclear reactor type that constitute the large majority of the world’s nuclear power plants) are now the most dominant reactor type across the world. Holtec International, a privately held company, is billed as one of the world’s largest exporters of capital nuclear components and is a leader in the decommissioning sector.

With this 810 authorisation, the possibility of India and the US joining forces to compete with China is a possibility when Beijing too is working on an ambitious plan to seize the opportunity of global leadership in the SMR space, unlike large reactors where China has been a latecomer.

Like India, China sees SMRs as a tool of its diplomatic outreach in the Global South that could shake up the SMR industry, just as it has done in the electric vehicle sector. Both India and the US are hamstrung to compete with China on their own, given India’s technological constraints and the US being impeded by a relatively high cost of labour and the growing protectionist mood in that country.

Holtec has a non-nuclear manufacturing facility in Dahej, Gujarat, and has conveyed that it can double the workforce at that plant in less than a year if the proposed manufacturing plans are cleared.

The 123 agreement signed by India and the US way back in July 2007 did, in fact, explicitly aim to enable full civil nuclear energy cooperation between the two sides by providing for “full civil nuclear energy cooperation covering nuclear reactors and aspects of the associated nuclear fuel cycle including enrichment and reprocessing” Since then, there has been no progress on the ground and a single investment is yet to come through.

On the Indian side, there are legal issues too. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which sought to create a mechanism for compensating victims from damage caused by a nuclear accident, and allocating liability and specifying procedures for compensation, has been cited as an impediment by foreign players such as GE-Hitachi, Westinghouse and French nuclear company Areva.

1743313932517.png
Holtec's SMR-160.

This is primarily on the grounds that the legislation channelises operators’ liability to equipment suppliers, with foreign vendors citing this as a reason for worries about investing in India’s nuclear sector due to fear of incurring future liability.

Explained

What next after the OK

Holtec could explore a collaboration with TCE, one of India’s largest consulting engineering firms in power sector, and partner with L&T to make some of the components for the upcoming nuclear plants here. In due course, Holtec said it hopes to work with the two state-owned entities authorized to operate nuclear power plants in India, NPCIL and NTPC, as potential customers and operators of the SMR-160 reactors.
Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act 1962 also have to be initiated to enable private companies to enter nuclear generation as operators, which is currently restricted to only state-owned companies. The Indian government has committed to getting this done.​

This development comes when India is working to get into the manufacturing value chain of small reactors, both as a way of fulfilling its commitment to clean energy transition, and bundling SMRs as a technology-led foreign policy pitch. SMRs — small reactors with a capacity of 30MWe to 300 MWe per unit — are increasingly seen as important for nuclear energy to remain a commercially competitive option especially in the wake of surging energy demand from tech companies.

Key nuclear deal breakthrough: US clears firm to build and design n-reactors in India
 
Key nuclear deal breakthrough: US clears firm to build and design n-reactors in India

Subject to IAEA safeguards, Holtec can transfer tech to L&T, Tata, subsidiary

Written by Anil Sasi
New Delhi | Updated: March 30, 2025, 07:33 IST
View attachment 41954
PM Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump. (File)

TWO decades after it was inked, decks have been cleared to tap the commercial potential of the India-US civil nuclear deal with an unprecedented regulatory clearance from the US Department of Energy (DoE) that will allow a US company to build and design nuclear reactors in India.

The March 26 approval from DoE cleared Holtec International’s application for specific authorisation with respect to the restrictive regulation that is referred to as “10CFR810”. (Part 810 of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954).

This authorization permits Holtec, with conditions, to transfer “unclassified small modular reactor (SMR) technology” to three firms in India: its regional subsidiary Holtec Asia; Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd; and Larsen & Toubro Ltd. Holtec International is promoted by Indian-American Kris P Singh and has its wholly owned subsidiary Holtec Asia operating an engineering unit in Pune since 2010 and has a manufacturing unit in Dahej, Gujarat.

Holtec’s original request included three additional proposed Indian end-users: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), thermal utility NTPC Ltd., and the Atomic Energy Review Board (AERB). But the Government of India did not provide the requisite non-proliferation assurances for these three state-owned entities.

As per the approval, Holtec may, in the due course, request to amend this authorisation to add NPCIL, NTPC, and AERB as authorised end users. The latest authorisation has been granted for 10 years from the date of issuance, subject to a review at 5-year intervals.

The authorisation is also subject to assurances from the Government of India extended on March 3, 2025 that the three selected private entities — L&T, TCE, and Holtec Asia — will use the technology and information transferred from Holtec only for “peaceful nuclear activities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and not for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or for any military purpose”.

This clears one significant roadblock.

So far, the regulation, while giving US companies, such as Holtec, the ability to export equipment to countries such as India under strict safeguards, explicitly barred them from manufacturing any nuclear equipment or performing any nuclear design work in India. This provision was a non-starter from New Delhi’s perspective, which wanted to participate in manufacturing SMRs and co-produce the nuclear components for its domestic needs.

The March 26 authorization lists key conditions: that the technology and information or items “derived therefrom” will not be “retransferred to any other entity or end user in India or to other countries except the United States without the prior written consent of the Government of the United States”; and that the “Indian End Users” are authorized by the Government of India to receive the subject Part 810-controlled nuclear technology.

Holtec International will also have to file quarterly reports to DoE on the technology and assistance provided to the end users under this authorisation. Importantly, it also requires that Holtec “Part 810-controlled technology” is only used for peaceful nuclear activities under IAEA safeguards and not for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, and “not for marine or for naval propulsion activities, or any military purpose”; and that it will not provide the Indian partners with access to “enrichment technology or Sensitive Nuclear Technology”.

This comes weeks after an announcement on renewed nuclear cooperation between the two countries to “fully realise” the US-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement, marking a significant diplomatic upside for India.

At a time when the Trump administration has been extremely transactional on the issue of balancing trade deficits and supporting US manufacturing, the commitment to move forward on plans to jointly build US-designed nuclear reactors in India — through large scale localisation and possible technology transfer — is being seen as a significant diplomatic gain for India.

The new deal potentially offers a chance for India’s nuclear sector to upgrade its reactor specialization to those in use across much of the world and scale up capacity addition against the current glacial pace of project development.

View attachment 41955

Cutout of IPHWR-220 reactor.

The plan to leverage private sector capabilities to get into the niche, but growing, SMR space is also significant. Though India’s civil nuclear program has expertise in manufacturing smaller reactor types – 220MWe PHWRs (pressurised heavy water reactors) and above – the problem for India is its reactor technology.

Based on heavy water and natural Uranium, PHWRs are increasingly out of sync with the pressurized water reactors or PWRs (a light-water nuclear reactor type that constitute the large majority of the world’s nuclear power plants) are now the most dominant reactor type across the world. Holtec International, a privately held company, is billed as one of the world’s largest exporters of capital nuclear components and is a leader in the decommissioning sector.

With this 810 authorisation, the possibility of India and the US joining forces to compete with China is a possibility when Beijing too is working on an ambitious plan to seize the opportunity of global leadership in the SMR space, unlike large reactors where China has been a latecomer.

Like India, China sees SMRs as a tool of its diplomatic outreach in the Global South that could shake up the SMR industry, just as it has done in the electric vehicle sector. Both India and the US are hamstrung to compete with China on their own, given India’s technological constraints and the US being impeded by a relatively high cost of labour and the growing protectionist mood in that country.

Holtec has a non-nuclear manufacturing facility in Dahej, Gujarat, and has conveyed that it can double the workforce at that plant in less than a year if the proposed manufacturing plans are cleared.

The 123 agreement signed by India and the US way back in July 2007 did, in fact, explicitly aim to enable full civil nuclear energy cooperation between the two sides by providing for “full civil nuclear energy cooperation covering nuclear reactors and aspects of the associated nuclear fuel cycle including enrichment and reprocessing” Since then, there has been no progress on the ground and a single investment is yet to come through.

On the Indian side, there are legal issues too. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which sought to create a mechanism for compensating victims from damage caused by a nuclear accident, and allocating liability and specifying procedures for compensation, has been cited as an impediment by foreign players such as GE-Hitachi, Westinghouse and French nuclear company Areva.

View attachment 41953
Holtec's SMR-160.

This is primarily on the grounds that the legislation channelises operators’ liability to equipment suppliers, with foreign vendors citing this as a reason for worries about investing in India’s nuclear sector due to fear of incurring future liability.

Explained

What next after the OK

Holtec could explore a collaboration with TCE, one of India’s largest consulting engineering firms in power sector, and partner with L&T to make some of the components for the upcoming nuclear plants here. In due course, Holtec said it hopes to work with the two state-owned entities authorized to operate nuclear power plants in India, NPCIL and NTPC, as potential customers and operators of the SMR-160 reactors.
Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act 1962 also have to be initiated to enable private companies to enter nuclear generation as operators, which is currently restricted to only state-owned companies. The Indian government has committed to getting this done.​

This development comes when India is working to get into the manufacturing value chain of small reactors, both as a way of fulfilling its commitment to clean energy transition, and bundling SMRs as a technology-led foreign policy pitch. SMRs — small reactors with a capacity of 30MWe to 300 MWe per unit — are increasingly seen as important for nuclear energy to remain a commercially competitive option especially in the wake of surging energy demand from tech companies.

Key nuclear deal breakthrough: US clears firm to build and design n-reactors in India
Very good progress; the Holtec SMR 300 partnership with the private sector, like Tata and L&T, will give a boost to development. Hope India also gets the know how to make these SMRs.

Faq on Holtec SMR 300
 
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