NPCIL invites bids for engineering, 3D design of Bharat Small Reactors

New Delhi: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) has rolled out a tender to hire consultants for plant engineering and 3D modelling of 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs).

Scope of work under the tender, dated Monday, includes generic design and engineering of specified portion of civil, process, intelligent P&IDs, mechanical, piping, electrical, control and instrumentation, ventilation and air conditioning, piping stress analysis, and 3D modelling for the reactors.

BSRs are 220 MW pressurized heavy water reactors with a proven safety and performance record. The last date to submit bids is August 10.


ET reported earlier that NPCIL had rolled out a request for proposal for industries to set up BSRs for their captive consumption, against which Hindalco Industries Ltd has submitted its proposal.

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The indigenous reactors are being upgraded to reduce land requirements, making them suitable for deployment near industries such as steel, aluminium, and metals, serving as captive power plants to support decarbonisation.

The plant layout is developed on the basis of twin unit concept and the main plant building includes two reactor buildings.

Engineering decisions made during site selection lay out the foundation for a facility's feasibility, safety, and long-term performance.

Identifying a suitable site requires assessing multiple interrelated factors, including geology, seismic conditions, water availability, population density, and regulatory requirements.

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The move gains significance as India implemented the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act last December, allowing the private sector to participate in nuclear energy generation for the first time, and limiting liability of equipment suppliers, towards achieving its goal of 100 GW of installed capacity by 2047.

NPCIL's BSR push with a request for proposal (RfP)for captive power use had first come when India had not allowed private companies to own and operate nuclear power plants.

Since the Act, only Hindalco Industries submitted their proposal for BSR to be set up by NPCIL. Under the proposed business model, the entire funding required for capital expenditure and operating expenditure would be borne by the user of electricity.

The plan involves the company providing land, cooling water and capital while NPCIL will handle design, quality assurance and operation and maintenance.

The company setting up a BSR will be entitled to all the electricity generated by the plant after its internal consumption.