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BSNL Wants In On Nuclear Energy

In an unexpected turn, state-run telecom firm BSNL has expressed interest in India’s nuclear energy program. The company is among several that responded to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) for establishing two 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) as captive units.

BSNL submitted queries about smaller reactors, land requirements, urban locations, carbon credits, and government support—indicating a serious exploratory approach to the nuclear domain.

NPCIL Clarifies the Rules

NPCIL responded that the reactor size is fixed at 220 MWand the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) will evaluate urban site proposals. Land size, funding responsibility, and plant specs are already laid out in the RFP. While NPCIL is silent on carbon creditsit stressed that developers must arrange their own financing.

For those interested in smaller reactors, India is still developing next-gen technologiessuch as a 50 MW Bharat Small Modular Reactor and a 5 MW gas-cooled micro modular reactor.

Corporate India Shows Strong Interest

Apart from BSNL, heavyweights like Tata, Reliance, Adani, Godrej, BHEL, ITC, and Indian Railways have shown interest, with 687 queries submitted so far. These highlight real-world concerns on financing, taxation, and ownership.

Key queries include:

• Token transfer of ownership to NPCIL and its tax implications.
• Use of outdated cost data from an old Rajasthan plant.
• Reducing exclusion zones to 0.5 km for hybrid use (e.g., solar).
• High O&M costsspent fuel responsibility, and NPCIL’s fee of 60 paise/kWh.
• Low Plant Load Factor (PLF) listed at 68.5%, possibly revised to 72.5%.

What’s Next?

NPCIL will remain the plant operator under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010with developers reimbursing insurance/security expenses. Promoters can also propose multiple locations across Indiawith new Electricity Rule amendments being considered to allow captive nuclear power consumption.

While the interest is high, it remains to be seen how many players will move forwardgiven the RFP’s NPCIL-favouring terms and significant operational commitments.