Nuclear power operator plans new design unit to support private players

Months after India's nuclear power sector began accepting private investment, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) plans to establish a new design unit to assist private companies and state governments in deploying indigenous nuclear reactors. The new vertical, part of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, is currently under development.

The establishment of this unit aims to streamline functions and provide technological support for entities interested in the pressurized heavy-water reactor (PHWR) technology. With growing interest in PHWRs for the initial phase of India's nuclear capacity expansion, NPCIL's move to set up the design unit will help address the need for specialized technical support due to its involvement in PHWR-based nuclear power projects.

PHWRs are seen as a cost-effective solution for India's price-sensitive power market, with domestic PHWRs estimated to cost around Rs 18 crore/MWe compared to foreign technologies costing up to Rs 34 crore/MWe. Industry insiders highlight the advantages of domestic design standards and a mature supply chain, which are critical for the successful deployment of PHWRs in India's nuclear expansion.