Why in news?
Researchers at the Institute for Plasma Research in Gujarat unveiled plans in September 2025 to develop the Steady‑State Superconducting Tokamak‑Bharat (SST‑Bharat). This fusion–fission hybrid reactor would generate about 130 megawatts and serve as a stepping stone towards a 250 MW demonstration fusion reactor by 2060.
Fusion versus fission
Nuclear fission, used in existing power plants, splits heavy atoms such as uranium to release energy but produces long‑lived radioactive waste. Nuclear fusion joins light atoms like hydrogen under extreme temperatures and pressures, replicating the process in the Sun. Fusion promises abundant, clean energy with minimal waste, but achieving and sustaining the necessary plasma conditions has proved elusive.
India’s milestones
- Early experiments: India began fusion research in the 1980s with small tokamaks like ADITYA. It joined the international ITER project in 2005 to learn from global efforts.
- SST‑1 tokamak: Commissioned in 2016, the Superconducting Steady State Tokamak‑1 tested cryogenic magnets and long‑pulse operations, providing valuable experience.
- SST‑Bharat proposal: The new hybrid design would combine a fusion core producing 30 MW with surrounding fission blankets generating 100 MW. The system is estimated to cost ₹25,000 crore and would allow India to test materials and power handling at intermediate scales.
- Demonstration plant by 2060: The goal is to build a full‑scale reactor with an energy gain (Q) of 20—meaning the output power would be twenty times the input used to heat the plasma.
Challenges ahead
- Extreme conditions: The plasma must be heated to over 100 million degrees Celsius and confined in magnetic fields without touching the reactor walls.
- Material science: Components must withstand intense neutron bombardment and thermal stress over years of operation.
- Financial and policy support: Long timelines and high costs require sustained funding and clear national energy policies.
- Global competition: The United Kingdom, United States and China have announced demonstration plants in the 2040s, and private companies are racing to achieve commercial fusion.
Way forward
- Boost R&D investment: Increased funding for plasma physics, materials research and simulation can accelerate breakthroughs.
- Strengthen human resources: Expanding graduate programmes and international fellowships will build a pool of fusion scientists and engineers.
- Encourage partnerships: Collaboration with global fusion projects and domestic industries can share costs and expertise.
- Develop a regulatory framework: Setting safety, environmental and licensing standards early will smooth deployment when technology matures.
- Maintain strategic vision: Fusion should complement, not replace, renewable energy. A balanced energy mix will enhance energy security and help meet climate goals.
While fusion remains decades away from commercial reality, India’s roadmap signals intent to participate in the global race and eventually harness the energy of the stars.