India Advances 200 MW Nuclear Reactors For Commercial Ship Power

India is advancing the development of compact 200 MW nuclear power reactors that can be installed on commercial ships, reported Business Standard.

"Nuclear power is generated by causing nuclear fission to create heat that leads to electricity production. You can put the reactor wherever you want, even on a ship," a senior official said in New Delhi.

Scientists at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) are working on two reactors, one of 55 MW and another of 200 MW, designed for captive power plants serving energy-intensive industries such as cement manufacturing.

"These nuclear reactors are very safe and can even be used to power merchant navy ships," the official added, without commenting on potential applications in nuclear submarines.

These Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR) are expected to play a key role in expanding nuclear power’s share in India’s energy mix.

Currently, India operates two home-built nuclear submarines, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, each powered by 83 MW reactors, while the third, INS Aridhaman, is undergoing trials.

The government has announced plans to amend the Atomic Energy Act (AEA), 1962, to allow private players to enter the civil nuclear sector.

Proposed changes would permit private companies to operate nuclear power plants, manage the front-end of the nuclear fuel cycle, and procure fuel from abroad, with provisions for returning spent fuel to the country of origin.

Amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND) aim to cap suppliers’ liability for nuclear equipment, based on contractual agreements, and to clearly define 'supplier' as the provider of critical components.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a goal of reaching 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, up from the current 8.8 GW, positioning nuclear energy as a key part of India’s clean energy future.

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