DAE Inaugurates Nuclear Heat-Based Copper–Chlorine Hydrogen Production Facility at IGCAR

India has achieved a major milestone in clean energy and advanced nuclear technology with the inauguration of the world's first hydrogen production facility based on the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle using nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR).

The facility, located at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam, was inaugurated by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Secretary and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty in the presence of IGCAR Director  Sreekumar G. Pillai.

Developed as a technology demonstration plant, the facility validates the production of hydrogen using nuclear energy through the indigenously developed Cu–Cl thermochemical process created by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai. It marks the first successful integration of nuclear process heat with the Cu–Cl hydrogen production cycle, opening a new pathway for large-scale, carbon-free hydrogen generation using advanced nuclear reactors.

The Cu–Cl thermochemical cycle is considered one of the most promising hydrogen production technologies because it operates at comparatively lower temperatures while offering higher thermodynamic efficiency than many alternative methods. By utilizing nuclear heat instead of fossil fuels, the process eliminates greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional hydrogen production and supports India's transition towards a low-carbon energy system.

The demonstration plant is the result of extensive collaboration between BARC and IGCAR, covering research, process development, engineering design, equipment fabrication, installation, testing and commissioning. The facility will help generate operational data, enable further optimization of the Cu–Cl process and support future scale-up for commercial deployment of nuclear-assisted hydrogen production technologies.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Mohanty said that integrating nuclear energy with emerging clean energy technologies such as hydrogen production provides a strategic pathway towards a sustainable energy future. He noted that nuclear power can deliver both carbon-free electricity and high-temperature process heat, making it well suited for large-scale hydrogen production while strengthening India's energy security and decarbonization efforts. He also congratulated the scientists, engineers and technical teams of BARC and IGCAR for translating an advanced scientific concept into an operational facility.

IGCAR Director Sreekumar G. Pillai said that the achievement builds upon more than four decades of operational experience gained through the Fast Breeder Test Reactor programme. He added that the successful demonstration highlights the versatility of advanced nuclear systems and reflects IGCAR's commitment to developing innovative technologies that contribute to India's clean energy transition and long-term energy security.

The Fast Breeder Test Reactor, India's only operating fast reactor research facility, has played a crucial role in developing fuels, materials and sodium technologies for the country's fast reactor programme. The expertise generated through FBTR has also supported the development of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), a key component of the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.

According to the DAE, the inauguration of the hydrogen production facility expands the role of nuclear energy beyond electricity generation and reinforces India's commitment to indigenous innovation, clean hydrogen development and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. The project also demonstrates how advanced nuclear technologies can contribute to future low-carbon industrial applications while supporting the country's long-term sustainable energy goals.