Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu): India has achieved a major milestone in clean energy by commissioning the world’s first hydrogen production facility powered by nuclear process heat at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
The facility, inaugurated on June 26, uses the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle and draws nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), marking a breakthrough in carbon-free hydrogen production.
A First-of-Its-Kind Technology
Unlike conventional methods that rely primarily on electricity, the new plant produces hydrogen through a thermochemical water-splitting process, in which high-temperature nuclear heat drives a series of chemical reactions to separate hydrogen from water. This significantly improves energy efficiency while reducing carbon emissions.
The Copper-Chlorine thermochemical cycle, developed indigenously by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), operates through a closed chemical loop and is regarded as one of the most promising technologies for large-scale, low-carbon hydrogen production.
Powered by India’s Fast Breeder Reactor
The hydrogen facility is integrated with the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at IGCAR, which supplies the high-temperature process heat required for the Cu-Cl cycle. The project showcases India’s growing capabilities in advanced nuclear technologies and their application in the clean energy sector.
Technology Demonstrator for the Future
The newly commissioned plant will function as a technology demonstrator, validating the Copper-Chlorine process for future commercial-scale hydrogen production. The project is expected to pave the way for integrating advanced nuclear reactors with hydrogen generation, supporting India’s long-term clean energy and net-zero ambitions.
About IGCAR
The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is one of India’s premier nuclear research institutions under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). It specializes in fast reactor technology, advanced nuclear fuels, and fuel cycle research.
Key Facts
- India has commissioned the world’s first hydrogen production facility using nuclear process heat.
- The facility is located at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
- Hydrogen is produced using the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle.
- The required process heat is supplied by the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR).
- The Cu-Cl technology has been developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
- The project serves as a technology demonstrator for future large-scale production of clean, carbon-free hydrogen.