Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh said that India is taking steps for development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR), with up to 300 MW capacity to fulfill its commitment to Clean Energy transition.
Key points
- The participation of private sector and Start-ups needs to be explored in development of this critical technology within India.
- He emphasized that technology sharing and availability of funding are the two crucial links for ensuring commercial availability of SMR technology.
- Small Modular Reactors (SMR), with up to 300 MW capacity by nature are flexible in design and require smaller footprint.
- Being mobile and agile technology, SMR can be factory-built unlike the conventional nuclear reactors that are built on–site.
- Thus, SMRs offers significant savings in cost and construction time.
- SMR is a promising technology in industrial de-carbonization especially where there is a requirement of reliable and continuous supply of power.
- It is said that SMR is simpler and safer as compared to large nuclear plants.
- These reactors require less frequent refuelling. As compared to refuelling once every 1-2 years in conventional plants, these plants can last 3-7 years before refuelling.
- Over 70 commercial SMRs have been developed around the world, but the only modular reactor design that is operating is onboard the floating nuclear power plant Akademik Lomonosov in Russia.
