PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ENHANCING NUCLEAR ENERGY

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has outlined a roadmap to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, as announced in the Nuclear Energy Mission of the Union Budget 2025‑26. The plan involves a two‑pronged strategy: deploying indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs and imported advanced reactors at greenfield sites, and developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for brownfield applications, captive power and off‑grid use. Current capacity of 8.78 GW is projected to rise to about 22 GW by 2031‑32, with NPCIL adding 32 GW by 2047 to reach 54 GW, while the remaining 46 GW will come from other public, private and joint‑venture entities. The government aims to operationalise at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033, with BARC designing BSMR‑200 (220 MWe), SMR‑55 (55 MWe) and a 5 MWth HTGCR, costing Rs 5,960 crore, Rs 7,000 crore and Rs 320 crore respectively. Construction of SMRs is estimated at 60‑72 months post‑financial approval.