Russia's Rosatom offers Small Modular Reactors for India's 100 GW nuclear target

Russian state atomic energy corporation Rosatom offered India advanced nuclear tech solutions, including high-capacity power generation units and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The offer comes as India aims to scale its installed nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047 as part of its clean energy transition strategy.

Nuclear energy currently accounts for roughly 2-3% of India's overall electricity generation capacity. SMRs represent a technological shift: they are nuclear reactors with power output capacities up to 300 MW per unit, constructed in factories and transported to sites, offering lower capital costs and shorter construction timelines compared to traditional gigawatt-scale plants.

Rosatom is already collaborating with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu. The incorporation of SMR technology is expected to facilitate land acquisition and integration into localized energy grids.

This update falls directly into Science & Technology and Environment (UPSC GS-III). Aspirants should prepare for questions on Small Modular Reactors vs conventional reactors, India's target of 100 GW nuclear energy, and the role of nuclear power in Net-Zero goals.