India developing compact 200 MW nuclear reactors to power ships

India is working on small, deployable nuclear power reactors, including a 200 MW design, that could be installed on commercial ships or at captive power plants, officials said.

“Nuclear power is produced by using nuclear fission to generate heat, which is then converted into electricity. These reactors can be placed wherever needed, including on ships,” a senior official explained.

Scientists at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) are currently developing two such reactors, one rated at 55 MW and another at 200 MW, aimed at serving energy-intensive industries such as cement manufacturing.

“These Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR) are designed with high safety standards and could even power merchant navy vessels,” the official added, avoiding questions about potential use in nuclear submarines.

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BSMRs are expected to play a central role in increasing nuclear power’s contribution to India’s energy mix, providing flexible and scalable solutions for the country’s growing electricity demand.

Currently, India operates two home-built nuclear submarines — INS Arihant and INS Arighaat — which are powered by 83 MW reactors. A third nuclear-powered submarine, INS Aridhaman, is undergoing trials.

The government has also announced that it would amend the Atomic Energy Act (AEA), 1962, to allow the entry of private players in the civil nuclear sector.

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According to the plans, the government may allow private players to operate nuclear power plants and also handle the front-end of the nuclear fuel cycle.

As per the discussions on the amendments to the AEA, the government may also allow private companies to procure fuel from foreign countries for the nuclear power plants, with a provision to take back the spent fuel to the country of origin.

The amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND) also seek to cap the liability of suppliers of nuclear equipment, as mentioned in the contract between the supplier and operator.

The amendments under discussion also seek to define ’supplier’ as the provider of critical equipment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of achieving 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, from the current 8.8 GW.

With inputs from agencies