NTPC looking at imported PWR tech for its nuclear fleet, in talks with players in France, Russia & US, Pg17

Key Highlights:

• NTPC is considering imported Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) technology for its nuclear fleet.
• NTPC is in discussions with companies in France, Russia, and the United States.
• NPUNL, a subsidiary of NTPC, aims to build 30 GWe of nuclear power by 2047.
• The planned 30 GWe capacity will include both indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) and imported PWRs.
• Small modular reactors will also constitute a portion of the capacity.
• PWRs are light water reactors that use enriched uranium as fuel and ordinary water as the moderator and coolant.
• NTPC formed NPUNL in January 2025.

Detailed Insights:

• NTPC is exploring PWR technology from France, Russia, and the USA to complement its existing PHWR technology.
• PHWRs utilize natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as both coolant and moderator, representing a proven and cost-effective technology.
• PWRs, or Light Water Reactors (LWR), employ enriched uranium as fuel and ordinary water as the moderator and coolant, offering a simpler design.
• LWRs generally have lower construction costs and are more thermally efficient, making them a prevalent choice for international reactor fleets.
• The widespread use of LWRs in the US, Russia, and France is due to the accessibility of enriched uranium.
• LWRs share technological similarities with regular thermal power units, potentially streamlining construction and operation.
• NTPC's strategy includes a mix of indigenous PHWR technology and imported PWR technology, along with small modular reactors.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR): A type of nuclear reactor that uses enriched uranium as fuel and ordinary water as both coolant and moderator.
• Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR): A type of nuclear reactor that uses natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as both coolant and moderator.
• Small Modular Reactor: A nuclear fission reactor that is smaller than utility-scale nuclear reactors, designed to be manufactured at a plant and shipped to a site for installation.

PHWR vs. PWR