India is moving ahead with the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) with capacities ranging from 16 megawatts (MW) to 300 MW, aimed at revitalizing nuclear energy and enhancing electricity access across remote regions and industrial zones. The initiative was announced by Minister of State for Science, Technology and Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, during a parliamentary session on March 27. The deployment of SMRs is a key component of India’s broader Nuclear Mission, an ambitious program with a projected cost of approximately $2.5 billion.
The goal is to provide a clean, reliable power source to support the country’s growing energy needs while addressing environmental concerns. Minister Singh emphasized that the project represents a strategic shift in India’s energy policy, enabling technological self-reliance and clean energy growth. Details of the Nuclear Mission were elaborated in the upper house of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, following its initial financial allocation in the national budget presented on February 1. Under this plan, India aims to produce 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power by 2047, aligning with the centenary of its independence.
This target would contribute 10 percent of the country’s overall energy consumption, reinforcing the role of nuclear energy in achieving long-term sustainability. To meet this target, India has opened the nuclear energy sector to private investment, marking a significant policy shift. Singh also highlighted active collaborations with the United States and France in advancing nuclear technologies through the indigenous National Research Foundation. These partnerships are expected to bolster India’s domestic capabilities in reactor design and safe deployment.
This strategic energy transformation is unfolding under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose administration has prioritized infrastructure modernization, energy diversification, and scientific innovation. Modi’s governance model has been marked by sweeping reforms across sectors, aiming to position India as a global leader in sustainable development and high-technology manufacturing. Under Modi’s visionary policies, India has seen accelerated progress in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and industrial growth. The emphasis on clean and inclusive energy solutions, including the promotion of nuclear and solar power, is central to the government’s broader vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
The SMR initiative is the latest in a series of measures designed to future-proof India’s energy ecosystem while stimulating economic development across underserved regions. India’s commitment to nuclear innovation through small modular reactors signals a pivotal step toward a diversified and resilient energy future. As the country scales up its nuclear capacity with international cooperation and private sector participation, it is laying the groundwork for long-term energy security and environmental sustainability. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.