Nuclear power operator plans new design unit to support private players

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is planning to establish a new design vertical to offer technological support to private entities and state governments interested in deploying indigenous nuclear reactor technology. This proposal, based on the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, is currently under process.

The new vertical will serve as a gateway for entities seeking access to pressurised heavy-water reactor (PHWR) technology and expertise, including design reviews and quality assurance. The move follows the growing interest in PHWRs as a preferred technology for India's nuclear capacity expansion, considering its established domestic supply chain and ecosystem.

NPCIL currently operates PHWR-based nuclear power projects using indigenous technology. The Central Electricity Authority identified PHWRs as a prime candidate for adoption by public sector undertakings and private companies to achieve 100 GWe nuclear capacity by 2047. The proposed agency could be set up under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) with experts from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and other specialised DAE units.

PHWRs are considered the most cost-effective option for India's price-sensitive power market, with an estimated cost of around Rs 18 crore per megawatt-electric (MWe), compared to Rs 34 crore per MWe for Russian reactors and higher costs for foreign technologies. Industry experts believe that domestic PHWRs offer established design standards and a mature domestic supply chain, making them an ideal choice for the initial phase of nuclear expansion.

Some leading private companies, including Adani Atomic Energy and Jindal Steel, plan to develop 10 GWe and 18 GWe of nuclear capacity, respectively, in the coming years, and consider the existing 700 MWe PHWR design as a practical starting point for scaling up nuclear capacity.