Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power generation capacity of up to 300 megawatts (MW) per unit, which is one-third the capacity of a traditional nuclear reactor. They have been in growing demand because being mobile and due to agile technology, SMRs can be factory-built vis-a-vis the conventional nuclear reactors that are built on-site. Thus, it is a promising technology in industrial de-carbonization, especially where there is a requirement for a reliable and continuous supply of power. Prospects of setting up SMRs in India:

• Cover rural areas: They can be built in locations not suitable for larger nuclear power plants.
  • In areas lacking sufficient lines of transmission and grid capacity, like rural regions, SMRs can be installed into an existing grid or remotely off-grid, as a function of its smaller electrical output, providing low-carbon power for industry and the population.
• Safer alternative: In comparison to the existing reactors, SMR designs are generally simpler, and the safety concept for SMRs often relies more on passive systems and inherent safety characteristics of the reactor, such as low power and operating pressure.
  • These increased safety margins, in some cases, eliminate or significantly lower the potential for unsafe releases of radioactivity to the environment and the public in case of an accident.
• Affordable: Pre-fabricated units of SMRs can be manufactured and then shipped and installed on-site, hence resulting in savings in cost and construction time.
• Reduced fuel requirements: Power plants based on SMRs may require less frequent refueling, every 3 to 7 years, in comparison to between 1 and 2 years for conventional plants.
• Energy security: SMRs can offer a reliable and constant source of clean energy, which could enhance India’s energy security by reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Challenges of setting up SMRs in India:

• Licensing and regulation: Deriving license and regulation protocols will require substantial research into the design safety parameters catering to SMRs.
• Safety concerns: Nuclear power plants, including SMRs, have the potential to cause significant harm in the event of an accident or malfunction. Therefore, ensuring the safety of SMRs is of utmost importance and requires a robust regulatory framework, skilled personnel, and adequate emergency response plans.
• Nuclear waste disposal: Effective management of nuclear waste remains a crucial problem for the nuclear industry and a major concern of the public as well.
• Public perception: There is a general lack of trust and concerns from local communities over the addition of nuclear power plants.
  • The anti-nuclear protests outside nuclear power plants in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, and Jaitapur, Maharashtra are two significant resistance movements in the last two decades.

To address the above challenges, the government should frame a collaborative licensing process suitable for SMRs without compromising India’s strategic interests. The integration of SMRs in India’s existing nuclear power program can also be done in both grid and off-grid approaches. Moreover, India can collaborate globally, such as Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing, to develop staffing requirements, basic safety specifications, and regulation and licensing protocols suitable for SMRs. Although integrating SMRs into the nuclear power grid will take time, working on a concept of SMRs that suits India’s current nuclear energy regime is a crucial opportunity for India to address the factors that have contributed to the lag in nuclear energy growth in the country.