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The "concept design" stage of India's Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) is complete and awaiting approval.
Construction of the BSMR will take 60 to 72 months once the project is sanctioned.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in July 2024 that the government would collaborate with the private sector for BSRs, BSMR research, and development of new nuclear technologies.
The government has committed ₹20,000 crore to set up the first BSMR by 2033.
India aims to have 100 GW of nuclear power installed by 2047.
Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR)
BSMRs are modified versions of India's existing Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PWHR) with a capacity of 200 MW each.
They will be fuelled by slightly enriched uranium and are being developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL).
Equipment and components for the BSMRs will be manufactured by domestic nuclear vendors under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Critical components will be procured from private vendors, such as low alloy steel forgings for the reactor pressure vessel.
BSMRs are intended for energy-intensive industries like steel, aluminium, and cement, and can also be set up by repurposing decommissioned thermal power plants.
They can provide electricity to remote areas.
The BSMRs will use pressurised water reactor technology with passive safety features and engineered safety systems for nuclear safety during accidents.
Spent fuel will be handled and stored in-situ.
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