Small reactors: Nu-clear favourites

Both the govt & public sector energy cos are focusing on developing small modular reactors

- RAKESH KUMAR @ New Delhi

IN the FY2024-25 budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated ₹20,000 crore for research and development (R&D) in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in India. The minister highlighted that achieving net-zero emissions requires a diverse energy mix, including nuclear power. As part of this strategy, the government aims to reach 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047 under the country's Nuclear Energy Mission.

The moot question is why is the government focusing on nuclear energy, and why is India actively seeking technology partners to develop SMRs?

WHAT IS A SMR?

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are compact, next-generation nuclear reactors designed to be safer, more efficient, and scalable than traditional nuclear power plants. As the name suggests, SMRs are smaller in both size and capacity, typically producing up to 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity, compared to the thousands of MW produced by conventional nuclear reactors.

Deploying SMRs across the country, especially in locations unsuitable for large nuclear plants, can produce a significant amount of low-carbon electricity. To reduce reliance on fossil fuels, SMRs can replace aging fossil fuel-based power plants. However, SMRs are not intended to replace conventional large nuclear power plants, which serve as base-load plants. That said, the technological and commercial aspects of SMRs are still in their early stages, even in developed nations.

WHY IS GOVT KEEN ON SMRs?