New Delhi. India is now taking a big step in the field of energy. Union Minister (Union Minister) Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha on 24 July 2025 that India is making three types of small modular reactors (SMR), one of which will be specially for hydrogen production. These reactors will not only make electricity, but will also help in saving the environment by giving clean energy for industries and transportation.
What is SMR?
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are small size atomic reactors, which are different from traditional large reactors. They generate less than 200 MW electricity. They can be easily applied anywhere in the factory. They have benefits…
Short size: They need less space, so they can be installed near industries or small cities.
Safe: They are made up of modern technology, which reduce the risk of accident.
Cost low: It is cheaper to make and run them compared to big reactors.
clean energy: They do not emit carbon, which does not harm the environment.
Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) together are making these reactors in India.
Three SMR of India: What is special?
Jitendra Singh said that India is designing three types of SMR, which will be completely indigenous…
200 MW BSMR (India Small Module Reactor)
This reactor is for power generation. It will be installed on the sites of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) with NPCIL.
Cost: It will cost around Rs 5,750 crore to make the first reactor.
Use: Gave clean electricity to big industries and cities.
55 MW SMR
This small reactor is for places where less electricity is required. It will be used to replace old coal plants, so that carbon emissions are reduced.
5 mW high temperature gas cooled reactor (GCR)
This reactor is being specially made for hydrogen production.
It will be connected to the thermochemical process (such as copper-chloride or iodine-sulfur bicycle), which will create hydrogen.
Use: Hydrogen will be used in transport (such as hydrogen cars) and industries (such as steel and chemicals).
Important thing: These reactors have been approved to build. These can be prepared in 60-72 months (5-6 years), provided administrative approval is received soon.
Hydrogen production: Why is it important?
Hydrogen is considered to be the fuel of the future, because it only releases water on burning, no carbon. But making it is expensive and complex. India’s 5 MW GCR reactor will create hydrogen through thermochemical process, in which…
Techniques like copper-chloride (CU-CL) and iodine-sulfur (IS) will be used.
Barc has already developed and tested these techniques.
It will be used as fuel in hydrogen trucks, buses and cars, which will reduce the need for petrol and diesel.
India’s nuclear strength: now more future
Currently there are 25 nuclear reactors in India, which generate 8880 MW of electricity. One of these reactors (Raps-1, 100 mw) is closed. recently…
Three new 700 MW reactor have started in Kakarapar (KAPS-3 and 4) and Rajasthan (RApp-7).
18 and reactor (13,600 mW) are being built, including 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (Bhavini).
On completion of these, India’s nuclear capacity will be 22,480 MW.
SMR will further increase this capacity, as they are small, fast -making and cheap. These will help change old coal plants and promote hydrogen economy.
Benefits for India
Clean energy: SMR will replace polluting fuel like coal, which will reduce carbon emissions. These will help in achieving India’s Net-Zero 2070 targets.
Electricity for industries: Energy-intensive industries like steel, cement and chemicals will get cheap and clean power. This will further strengthen India’s Make in India Mission.
Hydrogen Revolution: Hydrogen-powered vehicles and industry will help India reduce dependence on petrol and diesel imports.
Economic Development: Most of the equipment of these reactors will be made in India, which will boost indigenous industry. DAE said that Indian companies are capable of making these reactors.
