Minister of State Jitendra Singh informed parliament that the initial two units of a 55 MW Bharat small modular reactor variant will be constructed at a Department of Atomic Energy site by 2033. Addressing the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house, Singh shared updates on the Department of Atomic Energy’s Bharat small modular reactor program, detailing both the 200 MW BSMR-200 and a 55 MW version.

The BSMR-200, a pressurized heavy water reactor, will operate on slightly enriched uranium fuel, Singh explained. He noted that most equipment falls within the manufacturing scope of Indian industries, leveraging experience from building 220 MWe PHWRs since the 1980s and ongoing construction of 700 MWe PHWRs designed domestically.

Developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, the reactor aims to supply captive power for energy-heavy sectors like steel, aluminum, and cement, repurpose aging thermal plants, and deliver electricity to off-grid remote areas, according to Singh.

Singh outlined that equipment production and delivery will involve domestic nuclear vendors nurtured by the Department of Atomic Energy. Critical components, such as low alloy steel forgings for the reactor pressure vessel and reactivity control mechanisms, have been sourced from private vendors. Development of other key items, like reactor coolant pumps, has started with private partners. All major development will conclude during the pre-project phase, with the Bharat small modular reactor concept design finalized and awaiting approval. Construction is estimated to take 60 to 72 months post-project approval.

What about money?

The 2025 budget allocates INR20,000 crore (about USD2.5 billion) for SMR design and deployment, Singh highlighted. A 55 MWe SMR, aimed at remote areas, is also in progress, with its twin lead units set for a Department of Atomic Energy site by 2033. Both reactor types are designed for isolated operation, independent of the grid, and the BSMR-200 can also serve similar purposes based on demand.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in the 2024 budget, signaled plans to advance the Bharat Small Modular Reactor, followed by this year’s February budget committing funds for five Indian-designed SMRs by 2033, alongside legal changes to boost private sector involvement, targeting 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.