
When did the 500 MWe PFBR attain criticality? And did it attain full power ops in May 2025?
According to DAEIndia's calendar of events celebrating its platinum jubilee year, full power operation of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam is scheduled for May 2025.
The PFBR is so delayed that it's surprising the government is still backing the project and coping with the increasing cost overruns.India developing three types of small modular reactors: Jitendra Singh
PTI / Jul 24, 2025, 17:21 IST
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NEWS DELHI: India is developing three different types of small modular reactors (SMRs), including one dedicated to the production of hydrogen, mostly in the form of captive plants for energy-intensive industries, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Thursday.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Singh said the three types of SMRs, 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), 55 MWe SMR and 5 MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor, for the production of hydrogen are being designed and developed indigenously.
"In-principle approval has been obtained for the construction of these demonstration reactors. These demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt of administrative sanction of projects," he said.
The minister said the lead units of BSMR and SMR are planned to be installed at Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) sites in collaboration with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
"An estimate prepared based on the experience of setting up of 220 MWe plants indicates that the overall cost for the lead unit of 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) will be about Rs 5,750 crore," said Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office that oversees the DAE.
A 5 MWth high temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (GCR) is also planned to be used exclusively for hydrogen production by coupling with a suitable thermochemical hydrogen production process, he said.
The potential thermo-chemical technologies for hydrogen production, such as Copper-Chloride (Cu-Cl) and Iodine-Sulphur (I-S) cycles, have already been developed and demonstrated by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Singh said.
Necessary technology for the deployment of these reactors is available in the country and the majority of equipment is within the manufacturing capability of the Indian industry with technological handholding by the DAE, he said.
"These plants are designed & developed considering deployment as captive power plants, repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based plants and hydrogen production to support the transport sector with the prime objective of decarbonisation," Singh said.
Presently, the installed nuclear power capacity in the country comprises 25 reactors with a total capacity of 8,880 MW, including RAPS-1 (100 MW), which is under long-term shutdown.
Two units of 700 MWe each - Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) 3 and 4 and one 700 MWe unit at Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP-7) have already commenced commercial operation.
At present, 18 reactors with a total capacity of 13,600 MW, including 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor implemented by BHAVINI, are at various stages of implementation. On the progressive completion of these units, the installed nuclear power capacity will reach 22,480 MW, Singh said.
India developing three types of small modular reactors: Jitendra Singh | India News - Times of India
We import a lot of engineering items to support our nuclear capacity from China. It's actually in the top 10 categories of our imports from China.However, officials said since the UK does not have many companies that build nuclear reactors, imports from the country are likely to be limited.
The UK itself imports a lot of machinery from France for its under-construction nuclear reactors. For a country with a dying steel industry, we cant expect them to provide us with boilers and reactor parts, the best way is to build up our industries over time.We import a lot of engineering items to support our nuclear capacity from China. It's actually in the top 10 categories of our imports from China.
Maybe UK industries can help us diversify our supplychains there.
Centre plans entry norms for private sector in nuclear power push
India is considering allowing private companies to operate nuclear power plants by setting qualifying criteria focused on financial health, technical expertise, and large-scale project experience. Proposed changes to the Atomic Energy and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Acts are under legal review. The move aims to boost clean energy capacity from 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047 under Viksit Bharat.
Goal is 2047. Gotta start somewhere. It's easy to think it as a failure if you look at current capabilities. But these are entry norms, with good training, oversight, there's no reason that private players can't handle it. At the end of the day, human beings are going to handle tasks, wether gov or private.Nuclear Power plant takes a long time to construct and commission
It is not lucrative enough for Private sector to invest in it
They would prefer supplying machinery like L and T and BHEL do right now
But investment looks difficult
Secondly the lack of trained manpower
How many Private sector people can handle Enriched Uranium and the Consequent Radiation Risks and Safeguards
NPCIL and DAE have 6 decades of experience
Goal is 2047. Gotta start somewhere. It's easy to think it as a failure if you look at current capabilities. But these are entry norms, with good training, oversight, there's no reason that private players can't handle it. At the end of the day, human beings are going to handle tasks, wether gov or private.
Private defense, self reliant, make in India.. all seemed very odd at the beginning with so many doubting them. But 5-7 years later, we are making steady progress.
The most thing to be concerned about is oversight to prevent proliferation. Other than that, there so much talent waiting to be utilised to bring innovation to this domain. Nuclear energy is ever important given the huge energy demand for AI infrastructure and push for clean energy. Big Tech giants are even tying up and investing in companies that can build a dedicated powerplant for them. If India wants to establish its place in AI+Quantum+robotic space... it needs to be ready with energy infrastructure in place.
While nuclear energy isn't the only option, it's a major one which is tried and tested.
Then you've got concept compact reactors for propulsion, engine etc. It's a step in good faith which requires robust Collab and work ethics.. as does any other technology.
Let's see.. The activism is not unique to India. Coal is gonna go down due to things like carbon tax. Even if GOI talks it out with UK, the precedent would've been set. And Indian coal powerplants are already suffering from inefficiencies and environmental concern. For all the fanfare about solar, wind, hydel.. all of them takes time and betting on limited no. Of sources isn't enough. All three are limited by geography, climate and comes with their own risk.Nuclear Energy as a percentage of Energy mix is stagnant worldwide
This has happened because of Solar and Wind
Add to it Coal and Gas and Hydel , I don't see private sector being very keen on Nuclear Energy
Private Sector in Defence was a different thing , Because the Demand was clearly available for Defence equipment
Here In India it is a complex task to set up a Nuclear plant with Activists protesting about Safety hazard
It is only when there is a looming power crisis , that we will see a big jump in Nuclear energy production , ie when we run out of Coal and Gas
Nuclear Energy as a percentage of Energy mix is stagnant worldwide
This has happened because of Solar and Wind
Add to it Coal and Gas and Hydel , I don't see private sector being very keen on Nuclear Energy
Private Sector in Defence was a different thing , Because the Demand was clearly available for Defence equipment
Here In India it is a complex task to set up a Nuclear plant with Activists protesting about Safety hazard
It is only when there is a looming power crisis , that we will see a big jump in Nuclear energy production , ie when we run out of Coal and Gas


