NTPC taps EDF, 2 others for modular reactors

State-run power generator NTPC Ltd is in discussions with EDF of France, Rosatom State Corp. of Russia and Westinghouse Electric Corp. of the US to build small modular reactors (SMRs) in India, two people aware of the matter said.

- Rituraj Baruah

SMRs are factory-built reactors with a capacity of up to 300 MW, unlike conventional reactors built onsite with thrice as much capacity.

"NTPC is in talks with several global nuclear power companies for SMR development. EDF, Rosatom and Westinghouse are the major names. The search is for a technology partner. Things are yet to take a concrete shape, but the company is serious about indigenously developing SMRs in India," said one of the two people mentioned above.

Installing small reactors at locations unsuitable for larger ones is expected to help India in its quest for 20GW of nuclear power by 2030, up from the current 7.48 GW. The government and public sector energy companies have been keen on developing SMRs, as nuclear power is seen as key to India's ambitious energy transition goals. India is targeting to build 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030.