Russia Offers RITM-200 Small Modular Reactor Technology to India

New Delhi, India – Russia's offer to share its RITM-200 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology with India presents a significant opportunity and a complex set of choices for the nation's rapidly evolving energy sector. This potential partnership highlights the promise of SMRs in providing clean, reliable power while also raising critical questions about technological viability, safety protocols, and geopolitical implications.

India's existing reliance on fossil fuels is under mounting pressure due to both soaring energy demands and its commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Nuclear power, which currently makes up a mere 3% of India's energy mix, is being positioned for significant expansion. The RITM-200, a pressurized water reactor (PWR) based SMR with a power output of up to 350 MW, could play a role in this expansion.

Russia touts the RITM-200's compact size, modular design, and faster construction times compared to traditional large-scale nuclear plants. This emphasis on flexibility and streamlined deployment is particularly relevant for India. Russia also highlights the technology's success in powering its fleet of nuclear icebreakers, underscoring its reliability.

Small modular reactors are gaining interest worldwide as a potentially attractive addition to energy portfolios. Their smaller size and modularity could offer advantages in cost-effectiveness and deployment flexibility, particularly for locations with limited grid infrastructure or specific power needs.

However, India's decision on embracing the RITM-200 technology necessitates a careful analysis of several key factors:

• Technical Feasibility: Thoroughly assessing the RITM-200's suitability for India's unique energy requirements and grid infrastructure is essential.
• Safety Standards: Ensuring that the technology adheres to India's stringent nuclear safety regulations and international best practices will be paramount.
• Economic Viability: Determining the long-term cost-effectiveness of SMR technology in comparison to other energy sources is crucial for informed decision-making.
• Geopolitical Considerations: India's deepening ties with Russia, along with the evolving dynamics of global energy alliances, will play a significant part in its evaluation of the offer.

India's choice on the RITM-200 offer has the potential to shape its energy landscape for decades to come. The ultimate decision will hinge on a complex interplay of technological, economic, and geopolitical considerations, underscoring India's pursuit of a secure and sustainable energy future.

 

[Kira]

Anything substantial from Russia with the exception of natural resources is a no go today.

 

[Varaaah]

Small nuclear reactors are a good development. India must have this technology.

 

[Sathish Kumaram]

Can it be used in aircraft carrier?

 

[Hari Sud]

First develop enough experience in operating the Indian built small 700 mw reactors and then proliferate.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

As long as there is technology transfer,, we should not go for Russian SMRs. In the past, we have just bought off the shelf everything for Russia USSR and got cheated!! We must now seek technology transfer and then only deal with them.

 

[Sparkle Studio]

Russian SMR technology is the only game in town, American technology hasn't been commercialized at present. If we can agree to acceptable terms for transfer of technology from Moscow; this can be a win - win deal.

 

[amerjit johal]

Seems this is the way forward - many Western countries are developing this tech.
Just curious. RR builds nuclear reactors for subs.
Why has it spent £100's millions in developing SMR to use on land.
Are the Roos trying to fukkkk us up?

 

[Pink Panther]

Can it be used in aircraft carrier?

just too big.

 

[Pink Panther]

As long as there is technology transfer,, we should not go for Russian SMRs. In the past, we have just bought off the shelf everything for Russia USSR and got cheated!! We must now seek technology transfer and then only deal with them.

why just Russia, are we getting TOT on anything we import, be it 36 Rafales, K9 Vajra, Scorpene, these are multi billion dollar items, there are many more with 0 TOT.

 

[Akhil]

Anything substantial from Russia with the exception of natural resources is a no go today.

Only ignorant people don't know that Russian civil nuclear program is the most innovative in the world followed by India.
Only Russia and India currently own commercial second stage (FBR) reactors. Only India currently has long term vision for third stage thorium based reactors which will require atleast 30-40 years as it's dependent upon building enough second stage breeder reactors which itself was dependent upon building enough st stage PHWR reactors. After the threshold required for 3rd stage is reached we WILL have to build 3rd stage. After that there will be hardly any nuclear waste as 3 stage reaction ensures high fission efficency.

West have stopped most of their reactors and had limited themselves to 1st stage reactors due to easy access to uranium as compared to India which has high amount of thorium which requires 3rd stage reactors.

Kindly educate yourself instead of believing simplistic notions like "everything Russia obsolete".

 

[Baka007]

why just Russia, are we getting TOT on anything we import, be it 36 Rafales, K9 Vajra, Scorpene, these are multi billion dollar items, there are many more with 0 TOT.

But Russia can be milked now
Just like they milked us in the past.

 

[Amit Ghosh]

We should explore this and try to get the technology so that we can build similar system in the next decade..We have to secure safe Uranium reserves too. US has agreed but never offered us so if we get it from Russia then we must explore this seriously taking care of the safety too.

 

[Instant Karma]

Anything substantial from Russia with the exception of natural resources is a no go today.

You are completely ignorant about advanced technology. Russian nuclear, space missile defense, nuclear submarines technology is the best in the world.

 

[Pink Panther]

But Russia can be milked now
Just like they milked us in the past.

They are not really that bad as the Western media depicts, they are the number one economy in the entire Europe after war, they are doing better than Germany according western News outlets.

 

[Anuj]

Go for it if US or France can't offer better deal. However with any large scale deal, we should target to get technology.

 

[Rajesh]

Can it be used in aircraft carrier?

The article itself says that this reactor is used in their nuclear ice breaker ship. U can go through the Russian icebreakers in wiki. They r Pioneer in building and operating ice breakers due to their geography.

 

[Rajesh]

Don't waste time . If the west is reluctant as always then make a dela with full tot. The talk for SMRs have been going on with Americans and France but if they as usually a carrot then Russian deal should be considered.

 

[Harsh]

First develop enough experience in operating the Indian built small 700 mw reactors and then proliferate.

The key word in the offer is “Modular”. It should also be “Portable” to make this a really big deal.

 

[sunilanalysis]

Is there something that is Russian and advanced 🙂

 

[Sandeep]

Developing a 300-350MW reactor is the same and exact technology that we have already developed 100% indigenously. Russia isn't offering anything new or something that we couldn't develop ourselves. India needs more larger reactors because of the huge amount of power we require for our homes and industry and that's going to increase in time. Small modular reactors are only beneficial for smaller countries who can't afford a large reactor or if they want to decrease their carbon emissions or they want to strategically use nuclear fuel.

India needs to focus on developing its thorium reactors as we have a large amount of the fuel inside the country and it can power our reactors for hundreds of years. At the same time we need to build more nuclear reactors that we have 100% indigenously designed and manufactured in India without any Russian assistance.

 

[RG]

Faster deployment is key, what happened to FBR program of India and thorium based solution. Can Russia work with India to design and produce thorium cycle based similar product with a faster deployment model like 10 to 20 per year to add capacity moving away from fossil fuel.

 

[RG]

just too big.

Aircraft carrier is too long for this reactors ;-)

 

[Swanand Kulkarni]

Faster deployment is key, what happened to FBR program of India and thorium based solution. Can Russia work with India to design and produce thorium cycle based similar product with a faster deployment model like 10 to 20 per year to add capacity moving away from fossil fuel.

Already prototype version of FBR has been commissioned and currently it is under fuel loading process.

 

[Pink Panther]

Aircraft carrier is too long for this reactors ;-)

Russian ice breaker that is fitted with RITM-200 reactor is almost same size as our Vikrant, but the difference is our carrier has a hanger in the hull, so it needs extra space for the reactor, a bigger displacement 65-85t carrier would be ideal for this nuclear reactor.