India’s plan to expand nuclear power generation through the Bharat Small Reactor programme came into focus at the 20th India Energy Summit in New Delhi, where industry experts called for stronger domestic supply chains, private-sector participation and faster project execution. The panel discussion was organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce on the second day of the summit.

India aims to raise nuclear power capacity from about 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047. The programme is intended to use India’s established 220 MW pressurised heavy water reactor technology to provide captive, round-the-clock, low-carbon electricity for energy-intensive industries.

Kishor U Aggarwal, who spent 36 years at the Nuclear Power Corporation of India before joining Vedanta Power, said the 220 MW reactor design offered a strong engineering base. He said standardisation and decades of operating experience had addressed several technical challenges, while the next priority was to expand domestic manufacturing and develop a skilled workforce.

Aggarwal said private partners could build reactors jointly with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, with the state-owned company operating the plants. Two specialised components are still imported from Europe and Japan, although Indian industry is expected to begin supplying them within one or two years. The corporation is also establishing an engineering division for private-sector projects and has partnered with Engineers India for design inputs.

Experts said technology and manufacturing would need to be matched by careful site selection, regulatory compliance and community support. Prasenjit Pal, Senior Advisor – Nuclear at Bajaj Energy and former executive director at NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam, said assessments must cover geology, water availability, seismic risks and prescribed distances from sensitive establishments. He cited the Mahi Banswara project in Rajasthan, where investment of about Rs. 480 bn is planned, and said local communities should receive benefits including schools, roads, medical services and solar streetlights.

Nuclear projects can take 10 to 12 years to build, while a 220 MW reactor may require 60 to 72 months after final approvals. The government aims to have at least five indigenous small modular reactors operating by 2033 as it works towards the longer-term capacity target.