Rosatom in active discussions for new nuclear power plant sites in India; plans to focus on radiation tech, radiopharma: Kirill Komarov, First Dy DG, Rosatom

Time of India

12-05-2025

Mumbai: In an exclusive interview with
ETEnergyWorld
,
Kirill Komarov
, First Deputy Director General – Director for Development and International Business of Rosatom, revealed that the company is currently engaged in active discussions around Russian-designed nuclear power projects and is looking forward to an official announcement from Indian authorities.
The Russian state-owned nuclear giant has been a key partner in India's nuclear energy sector, notably through its flagship project at the
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
. Edited excerpts:
How does Rosatom plan to support India in balancing nuclear and renewable energy in its energy mix to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070?
Rosatom is committed to working with India in scaling up nuclear energy as a key pillar of its clean energy transition. In April 2024, an important milestone was reached at the
Kudankulam
Nuclear Power Plant – it delivered 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to India's power grid. By March 2025, according to
NPCIL
, the cumulative generation had increased to 106 billion kilowatt-hours. Units 1 and 2 have been consistently operating at an output of over 1,000 MW, exceeding their design capacity of 995 MW.
Currently, we are the only foreign company whose design is being used for the construction of a nuclear power plant in India. Our partnership with India spans decades. The construction of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, which began in 2002, is the flagship project of Russian-Indian technological and energy cooperation. The plant has become a symbol of fruitful collaboration between our countries, and its six units are laying a solid foundation for India's energy independence, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Units 1 and 2 of the
Kudankulam NPP
were connected to India's national power grid in 2013 and 2016, respectively. Four more units are currently under construction.
Our prospective cooperation includes the deployment of large-scale Generation III+ power units with VVER-1200 reactors and the advancement of small modular reactors (SMRs), both of which offer stable, low-emission power that complements the intermittency of renewable sources.
We understand that India's roadmap to net-zero by 2070 will require a reliable and diversified energy base. Nuclear energy, with its high load factor and minimal carbon footprint, is uniquely positioned to provide this backbone. Our SMR technology has the potential to be integrated into regions with limited grid infrastructure or phased-out coal plants, offering flexible, modular capacity that aligns with India's evolving power needs. We are aligning our efforts towards localization and long-term fuel partnerships to deliver safe, sustainable, and commercially viable civil nuclear energy solutions for India's future.
What are the latest inputs on Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and any new contracts that Rosatom has signed with Indian authorities?
Units 1 and 2 are fully operational, delivering reliable power to the grid. Units 3 and 4 are progressing steadily towards completion, with significant milestones achieved. Construction of Units 5 and 6 is underway, marked by the recent shipment of a VVER-1000 reactor vessel for Unit 6 in January 2025.
In December 2023, our fuel company, TVEL, initiated a long-term nuclear fuel supply contract for Units 3 and 4, covering initial and subsequent fuel loads from 2025. During the operation of the power units 1 and 2 of the first stage of Kudankulam NPP, Russian and Indian specialists have accomplished a large amount of work to improve their efficiency by introducing advanced nuclear fuel and extended fuel cycles. Since 2022, Kudankulam NPP has been supplied with nuclear fuel of improved design TVS-2M.
The new fuel ensures more reliable and cost-efficient operation of reactors due to its rigid skeleton, new-generation anti-debris filter and higher uranium mass. Its introduction also enabled an increase in the fuel cycle of the reactors from 12 to 18 months – it is the time of continuous operation of the reactor before shutdown for unloading irradiated fuel and loading fresh fuel. Operating with longer fuel cycles also improves the economic efficiency of NPPs: The power unit is shut down less often for fuel reloading and generates more energy during the year. These achievements will also be implemented at the new Kudankulam power units.
This is a result of our successful cooperation in recent years. Throughout the entire NPP life cycle, we not only supply nuclear fuel, but also provide engineering services, improving the efficiency of power units through new solutions for fuel and fuel cycles.
Tell us about your upcoming plans. Any new projects in India that you are in talks about, new locations being considered for nuclear plants or future collaborations?
We are currently engaged in active discussions around the project of the Russian-designed NPP, and we look forward to the official announcement from Indian authorities at the appropriate time. These conversations are part of a broader vision to scale up our presence in India in line with its growing energy demands and clean energy goals.
In addition to expanding capacity at Kudankulam, we are also exploring the deployment of low-power nuclear technologies, including SMRs, which are particularly suited to remote locations and industrial applications.
We see significant potential for cooperation not only within India but also in joint initiatives in third countries. Our cooperation extends beyond the borders of India. Indian companies are participating in our project for the construction of Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant, Rooppur.
Another major area of cooperation is the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and logistics. We are discussing with our partners various options for collaboration in such fields as increasing Russian-Indian cargo traffic along the NSR, shipbuilding, construction, modernization and operation of commercial port infrastructure, creation of a fleet of maritime containers, development of supporting infrastructure, as well as
LNG
carriers, oil tankers, bulk carriers, and high ice-class container ships.
To coordinate joint efforts on the NSR, a dedicated joint working group was established under the Russian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission. The group held its first meeting on October 10, 2024, in New Delhi. During the discussions the specific items of the agenda were highlighted, namely the goals of Indian-Russian cargo transit along the Northern Sea Route, joint projects in Arctic shipbuilding, and the possible training of Indian sailors for polar navigation.
It is important to highlight the scientific activities of Indian institutions in the study of the Arctic. Since 2021, a comprehensive monitoring program has been underway in the waters of the NSR, involving international experts, including representatives from Indian scientific organizations.
Tell us about your upcoming plans in India around SMRs.
SMRs are a key part of our long-term cooperation with India, and we see strong alignment between our technological expertise and India's evolving energy priorities. We are in discussions with multiple stakeholders to introduce advanced SMR solutions that are safe, scalable, and capable of supporting both industrial applications and grid-based power.
Our SMR offerings are designed for rapid deployment and are well-suited to regions where large reactors may not be feasible. With passive safety systems, modular construction, and the potential for localization, these reactors present a reliable and flexible energy solution. We believe SMRs can play an important role in ensuring energy security while enabling decarbonization.
Are the recent geopolitical developments affecting Rosatom's business in India? Is there any impact on the ongoing projects or potential future collaborations?
India and Russia share a longstanding and resilient partnership in the field of nuclear energy, and that cooperation continues with strength and stability. Despite the broader geopolitical environment, our projects in India, including the Kudankulam NPP, remain on track, with no disruptions to construction timelines or fuel supply.
We are in constant coordination with our Indian counterparts to ensure that ongoing and planned activities proceed as scheduled. Both sides remain committed to preserving the integrity of the cooperation, and we continue to work closely to address any challenges that may arise.
As a global company, we operate in diverse markets and have extensive experience navigating complex international frameworks. Our focus in India is to deliver on our commitments, support India's energy transition goals, and deepen bilateral cooperation across the full spectrum of nuclear technologies.
What new technological innovations do you intend to introduce to India?
Our engagement with India is driven by a commitment to deliver advanced, high-performing nuclear technologies that support long-term energy and development goals. One key innovation already deployed is the TVS-2M fuel assembly, now in use at
Kudankulam Units
1 and 2. This fuel design enables longer operating cycles, increases uranium efficiency, and enhances the mechanical integrity of fuel elements, resulting in improved safety and cost optimization.
In addition to reactor technologies, we are deepening our focus on non-energy applications of nuclear science. In nuclear medicine, we supply about 13 per cent of India's medical isotopes and are actively engaged in expanding capabilities in diagnostics and radiopharmaceuticals.
In agriculture, we see significant opportunities for collaboration in the use of radiation technologies, including food irradiation, which can improve food safety, extend shelf life, and reduce post-harvest losses. These technologies have already proven effective globally and are well suited to the scale and diversity of India's agriculture sector.
We remain focused on delivering innovation not just in power generation, but across the broader spectrum of peaceful nuclear applications, tailored to India's national priorities.
Together with colleagues from the India's Department of Atomic Energy, we are working within the framework of the joint working groups to explore new areas of cooperation in nuclear reactors with molten salt and gas coolants, SMRs, decommissioning of nuclear facilities and radioactive waste management, spent nuclear fuel management, fusion energy, quantum technologies, and non-power applications of nuclear technologies.
How does your company plan to manage the cost challenges in India? Are there any financial agreements or funding models that you could introduce to make nuclear energy more affordable for India?
We recognise that affordability is a critical consideration in the Indian market, particularly as the country balances rapid industrial growth with decarbonization goals. Our approach is centred around long-term partnership, localization, and flexible delivery models that support cost efficiency across the project lifecycle.
In our ongoing work with Indian stakeholders, we are focused on the local manufacturing, and the involvement of Indian engineering firms in civil works and equipment supply. This not only reduces costs but also contributes to building domestic capabilities and employment. Over time, these measures directly enhance the cost competitiveness of nuclear energy for India.
Additionally, our projects have benefited from structured inter-governmental financing frameworks, including sovereign credit protocols that enable stable long-term investments in infrastructure. Such models ensure predictability and shared risk, which are essential for projects of this scale and complexity.
We continue to engage in dialogue with Indian authorities on new financing approaches that can help accelerate deployment, particularly in the context of emerging technologies like SMRs and future sites beyond Kudankulam.