Big WIN for India as US company set to build a nuclear reactor in…Ratan Tata’s TCEL, Holtec Asia and L&T to complete work by…

To recall, an agreement was signed between India and the United States nearly 20 years ago, known as the Civil Nuclear Agreement. The nuclear reactors in India will be built under this agreement.

New Delhi: In what can be termed as major news that promises to give a massive boost to India’s energy sector, the US Department of Energy (DoE) on March 26 approved Holtec International to construct nuclear reactors in India. The DoE granted this approval under a regulation called ’10CFR810.’ This regulation is part of the US Atomic Energy Act of 1954. To recall, an agreement was signed between India and the United States nearly 20 years ago, known as the Civil Nuclear Agreement. The nuclear reactors in India will be built under this agreement.

According to a report by The Indian Express, following this approval, Holtec International can share its technology with three Indian companies. These three companies are Holtec Asia, Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd (TCEL), and L&T.

The three companies with whom Holtec International is sharing its technology specialize in building small modular reactors (SMRs). Notably, the American company Holtec International is led by an Indian-American named Kris P. Singh. Meanwhile, Holtec Asia has been operating in Pune since 2010. The company also has a factory in Gujarat.

Government Companies to Receive Technology

According to the reports, the Holtec company earlier had informed the Modi government that they wanted to provide this technology to three more government companies. These companies are Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Thermal Utility NTPC Ltd, and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). However, the Centre didn’t provided the required documents for these companies. As a result, they have not yet received approval.

Here are some of the key details:

• With several conditions attached, Holtec granted technology access to three companies
• India made a commitment on March 3, 2025, stating that the three companies—L&T, TCE, and Holtec Asia—will use this technology solely for peaceful purposes.
• It will not be used for developing nuclear weapons or for any military applications.
• The approval granted is valid for 10 years, with a review every five years.
• The agreement will enable India to access affordable and clean energy.
• India will be able to advance further in the field of nuclear energy.

A new transformation is likely to take place in India’s nuclear energy sector. A new deal could provide India with an opportunity to enhance its reactor technology. This would help accelerate nuclear energy projects, which are currently progressing at a very slow pace.