At least six major private companies, including Reliance Industries and Adani Power, have expressed interest in developing Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMRs) in India, marking a significant step toward integrating nuclear power into the country's industrial energy mix. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), the state-run operator of all nuclear facilities in the nation, has received preliminary site reports for 16 potential locations across six states. This initiative aims to provide reliable, low-carbon energy to energy-intensive sectors amid India's push for sustainable development and net-zero goals.

The interested firms, which also include Jindal Steel and Power, Tata Power, Hindalco Industries, and JSW Energy, have identified sites strategically located near industrial hubs to minimise infrastructure costs. The proposed locations comprise five in Gujarat, four in Madhya Pradesh, three in Odisha, two in Andhra Pradesh, one in Jharkhand, and one in Chhattisgarh. These sites were selected for their potential to repurpose decommissioned thermal power plants, a key feature of the BSMR programme designed to accelerate deployment. Each BSMR unit will have a capacity of 220 megawatts and utilise Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology, known for its efficiency in India's thorium-rich resources.

Under the programme, launched by NPCIL earlier this year, private participants will fully finance the construction, operations, and decommissioning of the reactors while reimbursing NPCIL for all lifecycle expenses, including pre-project assessments. In return, successful bidders gain beneficial rights to the net electricity output for captive industrial use, such as in steel, aluminium, and cement production.

NPCIL will maintain strict oversight, retaining operational control and ownership of the assets to ensure compliance with nuclear safety standards. The initial deadline for proposals, set for September 30, was extended to March 31, 2026, following requests from industry stakeholders for more preparation time.

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BSMRs represent an innovative approach to small modular nuclear technology, featuring advanced passive safety systems and engineered safeguards to mitigate accident risks, along with on-site storage for used fuel. This aligns with global trends toward modular reactors that offer scalability and reduced upfront costs compared to traditional large-scale plants. As India expands its nuclear capacity to 22,480 MW by 2031 under its national energy plan, the involvement of private giants like Adani and Reliance could bridge funding gaps and foster technological indigenisation.

NPCIL has already facilitated non-disclosure agreements and shared detailed bills of quantities with participants to streamline the bidding process. Industry observers view this as a pivotal moment for private sector entry into India's tightly regulated nuclear sector, potentially unlocking gigawatts of clean power for heavy industries.

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