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Barc in talks with NTPC, Adani, RIL to deploy small reactors
Barc is looking to take its 300 MW nuclear reactor module to commercial scale with private-sector participation. If viable, the reactor could account for 30 GW of India’s targeted 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.
New Delhi: As India looks to expand nuclear power as part of its clean-energy transition, its small modular reactor (SMR) programme is eyeing commercial scale. State-run Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (Barc) is in talks with NTPC Ltd, the Adani Group, Reliance Industries Ltd and Larsen & Toubro Ltd to develop its 300MW Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) for commercial installations, according to two people aware of the discussions. The project could be an early test of private-sector participation in India’s nuclear power expansion.
The initial discussions envisage a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with equity participation from the energy companies and a targeted capital expenditure of ₹30 crore per MW, one of the people cited above said, requesting anonymity.
Unlike the smaller 220MW small reactor that Barc is developing as a prototype, this 300MW BSMR is being considered for commercial installations. If it proves viable, Barc could look at deploying as much as 30 GW of these reactors, nearly a third of India’s 100 GW nuclear capacity target for 2047, the person added.
