Nuclear Reactors

A small nuclear reactor developed by a private US company has achieved first criticality, a stepping stone in the development of small modular reactors which Washington plans to sell to countries including India. The Mark-0 demonstration reactor, built by Antares Nuclear, achieved first criticality the start of a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction on June 4, a month ahead of schedule as US President Donald Trump encouraged the private sector to develop newer nuclear reactors. Experts describe the crucial milestone as the heralding of a second nuclear renaissance in the country that had not tested new technologies in the sector for over four decades. Maria Korsnick, the President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute, said that the US is keen to sell small reactors to India besides the conventional large reactors such as the AP-1000s. "Yes, there's going to be an appetite for small modular reactors and even potentially microreactors. It just sort of depends on what exactly i

India's Fairwood Nuclear Pvt Ltd and South Korea's SK Securities Co Ltd have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to support the development and financing of small modular reactors (SMRs) and micro modular reactors (MMRs) in India, the companies said on Wednesday. The agreement aims to accelerate the commercial and technical development of advanced nuclear projects in India, as interest grows in low-carbon and energy-secure power generation technologies. Under the pact, the companies will work together on project development, industry engagement, investor outreach and fundraising initiatives. The partnership is expected to leverage SK Securities' network across the nuclear, infrastructure and financial sectors in South Korea and international markets to support future projects in India. "The agreement creates a strategic relationship focused on accelerating project development, strengthening international industry engagement and facilitating access to capital markets and nucle

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has granted an operating licence to the Nuclear Fuel Complex-Kota, which is designed to provide fuel to 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. The facility in Rajasthan's Rawatbhata has a licensed annual capacity of 500 metric tonnes of natural uranium dioxide (UO2) fuel bundles. "The proposed activity of operation can be carried out in compliance with this license without undue risk to workers, the public and the environment," said the AERB in an order issued last week. The operation licence was granted after the AERB conducted a detailed safety assessment under its regulatory framework. "The activities at NFC-Kota are of low hazard category. The systems required for radioactive waste management and prevention of spread of contamination during operation are available. The application, the subsequent submissions and the review carried out have shown that the associated safety aspects have been adequately addressed," said the AERB. The .

India is set to join Russia in operating commercial fast breeder reactors, with the Kalpakkam PFBR marking a key milestone in its nuclear energy programme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed as a "historic milestone" the Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor achieving criticality, and said Indian nuclear scientists have brought glory to the country. In his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', he said Indian scientists are advancing the civil nuclear programme and their efforts are making a significant contribution to nation-building. "Our nuclear scientists have brought glory to India through a major achievement. The fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu has achieved criticality," he said. Modi said this is a "historic milestone" in India's nuclear energy journey, and the remarkable thing is that the atomic reactor has been entirely built using indigenous technology. The prime minister said he had the privilege of witnessing the core loading of the reactor in Kalpakkam in March 2024. "I congratulate all those who have made invaluable contributions to India's nuclear program," he said. Modi said the efforts of the ...

Doubters proven wrong as a locally built nuclear reactor reaches criticality, marking a major milestone with a self-sustaining chain reaction and underscoring India's growing nuclear capability

Few countries have built fast breeder reactors, and many later shut them due to the immense challenges of operating them safely

India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality, moving closer to full power generation and advancing the second stage of the country's long-term nuclear energy strategy

BARC is developing 220 MW Bharat Small Modular Reactors and two SMR-55 units under the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26

The government is considering seeking bids to build as many as 10 pressurised heavy water reactors with a capacity of 700 megawatts each - a third such bulk order

When asked if there have been discussions about using nuclear energy in smaller clusters, Devendra Fadnavis said, We have basically taken the initiative in this regard

NPCIL is revising its Bharat Small Reactors tender and extending timelines after the SHANTI Act opened India's nuclear power sector to private participation

The plan, part of efforts by Asia's second-richest man to broaden his renewable portfolio, would give the conglomerate about 1,600 MW of nuclear capacity

India's nuclear capacity will expand sharply to 21,880 MW by 2032 as ongoing and planned PHWR projects come online, with BARC also developing next-generation Small Modular Reactors

The government had announced the Nuclear Energy Mission in the Union Budget 2025-26, emphasising the development and deployment of five indigenous SMRs by 2033 with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore

The move holds out potential to unlock long-stalled private and foreign investment in the nuclear industry

Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy sees the plan to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon as a new space race, especially given China's and Russia's growing ambitions in space

The government may change nuclear laws to let private companies run plants, as it works on rules and targets 100 GW of clean energy from nuclear power by the year 2047

India is developing three different types of small modular reactors (SMRs), including one dedicated to the production of hydrogen, mostly in the form of captive plants for energy-intensive industries, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Thursday. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Singh said the three types of SMRs -- 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), 55 MWe SMR and 5 MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor -- for the production of hydrogen are being designed and developed indigenously. "In-principle approval has been obtained for the construction of these demonstration reactors. These demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt of administrative sanction of projects," he said. The minister said the lead units of BSMR and SMR are planned to be installed at Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) sites in collaboration with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). "An estimate prepared based on the experience of setting