NEW DELHI: In a big push to Indo-French collaboration on cutting-edge nuclear technology, India and France have agreed to jointly develop a new generation of advanced nuclear reactors as one of the three nuclear agreements signed during PM Narendra Modi’s visit.
The two nations have decided to partner on building advanced modular reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) for civil use.
“PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron stressed that nuclear energy is an essential part of the energy mix for strengthening energy security and transitioning towards a low-carbon economy,” an MEA statement said.
The three MoUs inked include a Declaration of Intent on establishment of partnership on advanced modular reactors and small modular reactors; renewal of an MoU between department of atomic energy (DAE), India, and CAE, France, concerning cooperation with the Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP); and an agreement between DAE and CEA on cooperation between GCNEP, India, and the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology, France.
SMRs typically have a smaller capacity than conventional nuclear reactors and can be manufactured in factories and installed elsewhere. This class of reactors, which can have as much as 300 MW of generating capacity, can be assembled in locations where it’s not feasible to construct larger nuclear facilities. India plans to have at least five SMRs by 2033.
The two leaders also acknowledged strong civil nuclear ties and efforts in cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, notably in relation to the Jaitapur nuclear power project.
President Macron had earlier mentioned that SMRs are “much safer” and recalled that “always improving safety while reducing costs” remained a priority. At present in France, a small nuclear reactor design called “NUWARD” is under development. This project is supported by the French consortium gathering EDF, CEA, TechnicAtome and Naval Group. This pressurised water reactor (PWR) technology-based solution is intended to meet the growing needs of the low-carbon, safe and competitive electricity market worldwide in the 300-400 MWe power segment.
India’s nuclear power generation capacity has grown significantly, nearly doubling from 4,780 MW in 2014 to 8,180 MW in 2024. Union minister for department of atomic energy Jitendra Singh recently said this capacity was projected to triple to 22,480 MW by 2031-32, showcasing India’s commitment to scaling up its nuclear energy infrastructure. At present, nuclear power plants contribute 1.8% of India’s total installed power capacity of 462 GW. This helps save around 41 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.