Context:
In 2025-2026 budget speech, Finance Minister highlighted the role of nuclear power, including the upcoming small modular reactors (SMRs), in achieving India’s renewable energy targets.
- Announced a new ‘Nuclear Energy Mission’ with a ₹20,000 crore outlay to study SMRs and operationalise five indigenous units by 2033.
About Small Modular Reactor:
- Advanced nuclear reactors with power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) [Megawatt electric] per unit.
- Small – physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor.
- Modular – making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation.
- Reactors – harnessing nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy.
- Many SMR designs require the use of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), enriched to 5-20%, as nuclear fuel.
- Advantages over traditional reactors –
- Prefabricated units of SMRs can be manufactured and then shipped and installed on site.
- SMRs can be sited on locations not suitable for larger nuclear power plants.
- Low cost and construction timeSimpler and Safer due to reduced fuel requirements.
- They can be deployed incrementally to match increasing energy demand.
- Have increased safety and lower impacts in case of accidents
- IAEA has established the Platform on SMRs and their Applications, a one-stop shop for countries to coordinate support related to all aspects of SMR development.
| Micro reactors | Small Modular Reactor | Conventional Nuclear Reactors | |
| Power Capacity | Fewer than 10 MW (e) | Up to 300 MW (e) | 700+ MW (e) |
| Refuelling | Years without refuelling | Every 3 to 7 years | 1 and 2 years |
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), more than 70 SMR concepts are currently under development in 18 countries.
High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU)
- HALEU: Uranium enriched to >5% and <20% of the U-235 isotope.
- Natural Uranium: Primarily composed of two isotopes, U-235 and U-238.
- U-235: Accounts for 0.7% of natural uranium and is the main isotope that undergoes fission to produce energy in reactors.
- U-238: Comprises 99.3% of natural uranium and does not directly contribute to the fission process.
- Light Water Reactors (PWR & BWR): Require uranium enriched from 0.7% to 3-5% U-235 for their fuel.
- Applications:
- Limited to research reactors and medical isotope production.
- Needed for many advanced power reactor fuels.
- About three-quarters of the SMR designs in development require HALEU.
- Availability:
- Not yet widely available commercially.
- At present, only Russia and China have the infrastructure to produce HALEU at scale.
- Producing HALEU:
- Enrichment: The process of increasing the concentration of U-235 in uranium. It can be done using existing centrifuge technology.
- Downblending: The process of mixing highly enriched uranium (HEU) with natural or depleted uranium to produce HALEU.
| Potential Benefits | Potential Costs |
| Increased fuel burnup | Higher specific fuel costs (more energy required for enrichment) |
| Increased capacity factor | Higher fuel fabrication costs (to mitigate increased internal pressures, cladding corrosion) |
| Smaller reactor cores and reactors | Potential for accelerated corrosion and embrittlement of pressure vessels |
| Longer core lives/refueling cycles | Potentially more onerous regulatory requirements and transport standards |
| Reduced waste volumes |
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I : India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most of its electricity production.
Statement-II : Uranium, enriched to the extent of at least 60%, is required for the production of electricity.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC CSE – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Uranium, enriched to the extent of around 5%, is required for the production of electricity.
