Sat, June 27, 2026
India has achieved a major milestone in clean energy innovation with the inauguration of the world's first hydrogen production facility that uses heat generated from a nuclear reactor. The pilot plant, based on the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) Thermochemical Cycle, has been commissioned at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
The facility was inaugurated by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty in the presence of IGCAR Director Sreekumar G. Pillai. It has been developed as a technology demonstrator to validate hydrogen production using nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). The Cu–Cl thermochemical process used in the plant was developed indigenously by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
According to the DAE, the successful integration of nuclear reactor heat with hydrogen generation marks a significant technological breakthrough and offers a promising pathway for producing large quantities of carbon-free hydrogen using advanced nuclear reactors.
Hydrogen is widely regarded as a key fuel for the future, and the Cu–Cl thermochemical cycle is considered one of the most efficient methods of producing it due to its relatively lower operating temperatures and higher thermodynamic efficiency. By replacing fossil fuels with nuclear heat, the process eliminates greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional hydrogen production.
The project is the result of years of collaborative research and engineering by BARC and IGCAR, covering process development, equipment fabrication, installation, testing and commissioning. The demonstration plant is expected to provide valuable operational data, support further optimisation of the technology and pave the way for commercial-scale nuclear-assisted hydrogen production.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mohanty said the integration of nuclear energy with hydrogen production represents a strategic step towards a sustainable energy future. He noted that nuclear power can supply both carbon-free electricity and high-temperature process heat, making it well suited for large-scale hydrogen generation while strengthening India's energy security and decarbonisation efforts. He also congratulated the scientists and engineers of BARC and IGCAR for turning an advanced scientific concept into an operational reality.
IGCAR Director Sreekumar G. Pillai said the achievement builds on more than four decades of expertise gained through the Fast Breeder Test Reactor programme. He added that the successful demonstration highlights the versatility of advanced nuclear technology and reinforces IGCAR's commitment to supporting India's clean energy transition.
Established in 1971, IGCAR has been at the forefront of India's fast breeder reactor programme. The knowledge gained from operating the FBTR has played a crucial role in the development of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), a key component of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.
Over the years, IGCAR has developed internationally recognised expertise in reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, advanced materials, sodium technology, fuel cycle research, instrumentation, remote handling and high-temperature engineering, strengthening India's position among the global leaders in advanced nuclear technologies.
The DAE said the inauguration of the hydrogen production facility marks an important step towards the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by combining indigenous nuclear technology with clean hydrogen production, contributing to a sustainable, secure and low-carbon energy future.
WIth inputs from IANS
| 14-09-2018 | ||||||
| Sl No. | Parameters | Actual Data(µg/m3) | Standard Limit(µg/m3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PM 10 | 64 | 100 |
| 2 | PM 2.5 | 33 | 60 |
| 3 | SO2 | 55.3 | 80 |
| 4 | NO2 | 58.2 | 80 |
| 14-09-2018 | ||||||
| Station | Temperature(degree centigrade) | Rainfall(mm) | Relative humidity(%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max | Min | Past 24 hrs. | Since 1st March, 2018 | Max | Min | |
| Ranchi | 31.0 | 22.5 | 000.0 | 1010.1 | 95 | 66 |
| Jamshedpur | 34.1 | 26.2 | 000.0 | 1252.8 | 87 | 58 |
| Bokaro | 33.5 | 24.6 | 015.2 | 824.0 | 92 | 79 |
| Daltonganj | 32.6 | 24.9 | 004.2 | 960.9 | 95 | 67 |
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