Holtec International Explores Small Modular Reactor Manufacturing And R&D Facility In Gujarat
US-based nuclear technology company Holtec International is exploring plans to establish a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) manufacturing facility and a research and development centre in Gujarat. Holtec expressed its interest during a meeting between Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the company's leadership in New York, held during Patel's visit to the US ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2027. Patel highlighted Gujarat's plans to develop a domestic ecosystem for nuclear power equipment during the discussions.
The company currently operates a precision manufacturing plant in Dahej, Gujarat, specialising in heat transfer equipment and air-cooled condensers used in power plants. The proposed SMR facility would represent a significant expansion of this existing footprint, moving from component fabrication to production of advanced reactor technology.
Holtec Chairman and CEO Kris Singh has separately outlined ambitious plans to manufacture 200 SMRs in India, and said the company is set to buy land in Gujarat to build a new factory to manufacture capital equipment for nuclear power plants. The equipment from the Gujarat plant is intended for dual use, supporting both Holtec's projects in the US and its India deployment plans. The company has indicated it will soon begin discussions with India's nuclear regulator, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), for design approval of its 300 MWe SMR-300 reactors.
The development follows India's SHANTI Act, which opened the country's nuclear sector to private-sector participation, ending a long-standing state monopoly over nuclear power generation. Holtec has also received US Department of Energy authorisation to share unclassified SMR technology with Holtec Asia, Tata Consulting Engineers and Larsen & Toubro, to facilitate localisation of SMR manufacturing in India.