In Focus by The Hindu Can SMRs power India's renewable energy transition?
Jan 30, 2025
Karthik Ganesan, a seasoned expert at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, delves into the burgeoning role of small modular reactors (SMRs) in India's nuclear energy landscape. He highlights the government's commitment to increasing nuclear's share in the energy mix and the benefits of SMRs over traditional reactors. Ganesan also addresses the financial challenges, the necessity of private sector investment, and the critical need for effective nuclear waste reprocessing. With an eye on upcoming policies, he discusses how these innovations could reshape India’s energy future.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
SMR vs. Traditional Reactor
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) emphasize factory prefabrication for faster assembly.
- This differs from India's legacy Small and Medium Reactors (SMRs), built on-site over years.
BSR Explained
- The Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) is a 220 MW pressurized heavy water reactor, a familiar design for NPCIL.
- It aims to replace coal-fired units in industrial settings, but the economics are challenging due to higher electricity costs.
Holistic Nuclear Approach
- Karthik Ganesan is critical of the current SMR plan, but acknowledges nuclear's role in decarbonization.
- He advocates for a holistic approach, possibly using larger, centralized nuclear plants.