Govt working on small nuclear reactors for clean energy transition: Minister Jitendra Singh

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday said it is focussing on new technologies such as small nuclear reactors to make a clean energy transition, the government told Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

In a written reply, minister of state for atomic energy Jitendra Singh said, “There is a thrust world over for a strategy to use nuclear power that could reduce reliance on fossil fuels over the coming years. Small capacity atomic power plants, popularly called small modular reactors (SMRs), with their unique features of modularity, scalability, small footprint and improved safety, present themselves as an attractive option for repurposing of retiring coal-based thermal power station sites.”

Deploying SMRs across the country, especially in locations not suitable for large nuclear plants, can produce large amount of low-carbon electricity, he said. In order to move away from fossil fuel consumption, SMRs can be installed and operated for repurposing the aging fossil fuel-based power plants, Singh added. However, he said, SMRs are not expected to serve as replacement to conventional large-sized nuclear power plants, which serve as base load plants.

Nuclear power plants are installed and operated in line with stringent regulatory requirements to contain radiation and to avoid exposure to public in all circumstances. The techno-commercial aspects of SMRs are still in initial stages even globally and its large-scale deployment depends on various factors, including regulatory harmonisation globally by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), especially considering emergency planning zone and public acceptance.


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