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India's Nuclear Leap: Bids for Small Reactors Soon
16 Apr
Summary
- Bids for a 220 MWe reactor will be invited within six months.
- The pilot project, BSMR-200, is estimated to cost Rs 5,960 crore.
- Foreign companies can bid but must partner with local firms.
India is planning to invite bids for its 220 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) within the next three to six months. This initiative represents a pivotal move to integrate nuclear energy more deeply into the nation's green transition plans.
The BSMR-200, a standardized design, will serve as a model for future small modular reactor (SMR) projects. The pilot project's development and construction are budgeted at approximately Rs 5,960 crore, funded through the Nuclear Energy Mission.
Foreign companies are eligible to bid for the BSMR-200 project, but they will be required to collaborate with an Indian partner. Inter-ministerial consultations are currently underway to finalize the bid details.
This development follows the enactment of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act in December 2025, which opened the nuclear sector to private investment. The project requires final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
India aims to establish at least five indigenously designed SMRs by 2033, with a broader target of 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047. This ambitious plan underscores a strong push for localization and the growth of domestic nuclear technology manufacturing capabilities.
