Russia’s SMR edge: Why India’s new nuclear rules could favour Moscow

India's new nuclear rules could bolster Russia's position in the country's SMR sector. The draft regulations stipulate that foreign nuclear technology must be certified or approved by the regulatory body of its origin and be operational in at least one other foreign location. This could prove advantageous for Russia's SMR projects, as it already has experience in this field and offers cost-effective solutions compared to Western competitors.

Russian nuclear giant Rosatom has been actively courting India's nuclear sector, with a focus on SMRs for targeted applications and large-scale reactor projects. The country currently leads in the development of SMRs, with operational projects like the Akademik Lomonosov and HTR-PM, both of which are yet to gain regulatory approval in their respective countries.

While other global players are in the design certification phase, none have operational SMRs yet. India's interest in SMRs stems from their potential to provide clean electricity to remote and industrial areas, as well as to address local energy demands. Rosatom's floating nuclear power solutions, including the world's northernmost nuclear power plant, Akademik Lomonosov, demonstrate the company's expertise in this niche.

Furthermore, Russian reactors, particularly pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and light water reactors (LWRs), are projected to be cost-competitive compared to those offered by Western nations, making them an attractive option for India's nuclear energy future.