On March 26, 2025, the US Department of Energy (DoE) granted regulatory approval to Holtec International, allowing the transfer of small modular reactor (SMR) technology to India. This approval clears a major roadblock that had delayed the commercial implementation of the 2007 India-US civil nuclear agreement (123 Agreement).
Technology Transfer Details:
- Entities Involved: Holtec is authorized to share unclassified SMR technology with three Indian entities:
• Holtec Asia (regional subsidiary)
• Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd
• Larsen & Toubro Ltd - Approval Specifics: The approval pertains to the restrictive regulation “10CFR810” and is valid for 10 years, with a mandatory review at the five-year mark.
Usage and Restrictions:
- The transferred information must not be shared with any third party, including other Indian entities or foreign countries, without prior US consent.
- The technology is strictly for civilian use and cannot be applied to military purposes such as nuclear weapons development, naval propulsion, or enrichment activities.
Implications for India:
- Enhanced Expertise: The move is expected to deepen India’s nuclear expertise.
- Localized Manufacturing: It will help localize SMR manufacturing in India.
- Global Positioning: Strengthens New Delhi’s standing in the global SMR market.
- Overcoming Past Challenges: Resolves legal and regulatory hurdles that had stalled progress under the 2007 India-US civil nuclear agreement.
(Source: BS)
