Nuclear Process Heat
Ajit Kumar Mohanty, the secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, on June 27, 2026, went ahead and officially opened the first hydrogen production facility in the world which is based on the Copper-Chlorine – Cu-Cl Thermochemical Cycle using nuclear process heat derived from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor – FBTR at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research – IGCAR, Kalpakkam.
Speaking at the forum, Dr Mohanty said the combination of nuclear energy with emerging clean energy technologies like hydrogen production is a strategically important pathway for achieving an energy future that is sustainable. Nuclear power, due to its unique ability to deliver dependable carbon-free electricity, is well positioned to support large-scale hydrogen production while at the same time also supporting the energy security, decarbonization goals along with the long-term sustainable development objectives of India.
It is worth noting that the first hydrogen production facility in the world using nuclear process heat has been developed as a technology demonstrator to exhibit the production of hydrogen through using nuclear energy by the indigenous Cu-Cl thermochemical process established by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre – BARC, Mumbai. The Department of Atomic Energy said that the inauguration of the facility is the result of thorough study, development of processes, engineering designs, equipment fabrication, setup, evaluation, and commissioning endeavours initiated jointly by BARC as well as IGCAR.