Hyderabad: India has achieved a major milestone in clean energy with the inauguration of the world’s first nuclear powered hydrogen production facility based on the Copper Chlorine (Cu Cl) Thermochemical Cycle at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) inaugurated the facility on Friday. DAE Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty formally launched the project in the presence of IGCAR Director Sreekumar G Pillai.
The demonstration plant uses heat generated by the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to produce hydrogen through the indigenously developed Copper Chlorine thermochemical process. The technology was developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.
Nuclear Hydrogen Plant Marks Major Clean Energy Milestone
According to the DAE, the project is a significant breakthrough in advanced nuclear technology and carbon free hydrogen production. It integrates nuclear process heat with hydrogen generation, opening the way for large scale hydrogen production without relying on fossil fuels.
Hydrogen is considered one of the key fuels for the future because it can support clean and sustainable energy systems. Among several technologies under development globally, the Copper Chlorine thermochemical cycle is regarded as one of the most efficient due to its lower operating temperatures and higher thermodynamic efficiency.
Officials said the project is the result of years of research, engineering, fabrication, testing and commissioning carried out jointly by BARC and IGCAR. The facility will help scientists gain operational experience and further optimise the technology before commercial deployment.
Addressing the inauguration, Mohanty said integrating nuclear energy with hydrogen production represents a strategic step towards India’s clean energy transition. He noted that nuclear power can provide both carbon free electricity and high temperature process heat, making it ideal for large scale hydrogen production.
He congratulated the scientists, engineers and technical teams of BARC and IGCAR for transforming an advanced scientific concept into an operational facility.
IGCAR Director Sreekumar G Pillai said the achievement builds on more than four decades of expertise gained through the Fast Breeder Test Reactor program. He added that the project demonstrates the versatility of advanced nuclear systems and strengthens India’s capabilities in clean energy technologies.
Established in 1971, IGCAR has played a key role in India’s Fast Breeder Reactor program. The centre developed and operated the Fast Breeder Test Reactor and contributed significantly to the country’s 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, a key component of India’s three stage nuclear power program
The Department of Atomic Energy said the new facility supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and reinforces India’s commitment to developing sustainable, secure and low carbon energy solutions.
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