Why in the News?

Major Indian private sector corporations expressed formal interest in setting up Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-based nuclear projects as part of the ‘Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR)’ programme.

What is the Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR) Programme?

Overview: India’s flagship nuclear programme, led by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Reactor Models:
- BSMR-200 – 200 MWe Pressurized Water Reactor with passive safety.
- BSR-220 – PHWR-based small reactor.
- SMR-55 – 55 MWe PWR for captive or remote use.
Implementation: NPCIL retains ownership and operational control, while private companies fund and use generated power for captive needs. About 16 potential sites identified across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
Policy & Financing: ₹20,000 crore allocated under the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat (2025-26) to operationalise five SMRs by 2033.
Private sector interest: Includes Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power, JSW Energy, Hindalco, and Jindal Steel & Power.
Reforms & Impact: Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act (1962) and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) are proposed to facilitate investment and technology sharing.

About Small Modular Reactors (SMRs):

Concept: SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors generating up to 300 Megawatt electric (MWe) each — about one-third the size of conventional reactors. They are “modular”, meaning major components are factory-fabricated, transported, and assembled on-site, cutting cost and construction time.
Working Principle: Operate on nuclear fission (splitting Uranium-235 atoms) to produce heat that converts water into steam for turbines. Most use the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) design with passive safety systems that cool the reactor without human intervention.
Distinct Features:
- Compact and Scalable – suitable for remote or repurposed sites.
- Factory-built – ensures quality and quicker rollout.
- Safer Design – smaller radioactive inventory, underground containment.
- Flexible Use – can supply electricity, industrial heat, desalination, or hydrogen.
Global Examples:
- Akademik Lomonosov (Russia) – world’s first floating SMR (70 MWe, 2020).
- HTR-PM (China) – high-temperature gas-cooled SMR (2023).
- Key developers: Rolls-Royce (UK), NuScale (US), GE-Hitachi, Westinghouse (AP-300).

[UPSC 2012] To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?

1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium. 2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium. 3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 *

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