Maharashtra, Russia's ROSATOM Sign MoU for Thorium-Based Small Reactor

Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian state enterprise ROSATOM to create a Small Modular Reactor that uses thorium fuel. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the 'Thorium Fuel Small Modular Reactor' project between Mahagenco and ROSATOM.

The main purpose of this MoU is to jointly develop a thorium reactor in Maharashtra, commercialize thorium reactors in compliance with the safety guidelines of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), and establish a manufacturing line for thorium reactors as part of the 'Make in Maharashtra' initiative.

"CM Devendra Fadnavis presided over the MoU signing between Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd (MAHAGENCO) and Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM for the development of a Small Modular Reactor based on Thorium Fuel," the CMO said in a post on X.

The Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) will provide strategic support for the joint creation of a Small Modular Reactor powered by thorium fuel. All activities will be conducted according to the guidelines established by the Government of India and AERB.

"A joint working group will be formed to facilitate coordination and research for this project. Representatives from the signing organisations Mahagenco, Rosatom Energy Projects, MITRA, and Global Technology Alliance will participate in the project's execution. All legal provisions and safety protocols as laid out by the Government of India for nuclear energy will be strictly followed during implementation," a CMO statement said.