Tata Power Company Ltd. has revealed plans to establish small modular reactors (SMRs) across India to generate electricity through nuclear fission. This announcement came from Tata Power’s CEO & Managing Director, Praveer Sinha, although he did not disclose the anticipated investment amount.

“We are eager to participate, but we are waiting for more clarity on potential amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act,” Sinha noted.

Previously, the government had expressed its intention to develop active partnerships with private entities for the establishment of SMRs and promised amendments to the relevant laws to foster private investment in the nuclear energy sector.

“We are considering this actively; however, it depends on the policy directions and amendments to the Atomic Energy Act, which would facilitate our entry into SMRs and nuclear reactors,” Sinha emphasized. He also mentioned that initial customers for Tata Power’s nuclear services could include other Tata Group companies such as Tata Steel and Tata Motors.

“We are enthusiastic about this opportunity, but it hinges on policy support and the availability of cost-effective technology that can generate power at competitive tariffs,” Sinha added. He indicated that Tata Power plans to position its nuclear power solutions as part of a broader clean energy strategy aimed at the commercial and industrial sectors.

In the recently presented Budget 2025, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of a Nuclear Energy Mission dedicated to the research and development of SMRs with a funding allocation of Rs 20,000 crore. She stated that at least five domestically developed SMRs are expected to be operational by 2033, with a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. Notably, India intends to deploy approximately 50 small modular reactors, primarily to replace aging coal-fired thermal power plants, in pursuit of its net-zero emissions goal by 2070.

“Small nuclear plants necessitate rigorous approvals, with the approval process typically taking around 24 months followed by about five years of construction after approval. Today, SMR projects are becoming increasingly prevalent in various parts of the world. With emerging technologies, we should be capable of implementing them more swiftly in India,” Sinha stated.

He anticipated that India’s peak power demand would rise from 250 gigawatts in 2024 to approximately 265 to 270 GW due to an expected “intense” summer.

A representative from Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE) indicated in August 2024 that the Department of Atomic Energy’s (DAE) 220-Megawatt Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) is undergoing a redesign using 3D design platforms to create what is termed the Bharat Small Modular Reactor. The goal is to achieve a high degree of standardization to replace outdated coal-fired thermal power plants used in the steel, aluminum, copper, and cement industries.

“We are reconfiguring and redesigning the old PHWR design to make it modular, scalable, and compliant with post-Fukushima safety standards,” said Amit Sharma, MD & CEO of TCE, in August 2024.

TCE has been collaborating with DAE for several decades, holding an 85 percent share in engineering services within the nuclear sector and managing multiple power projects.