DAE Inaugurates World's First Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen Production Facility
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) inaugurated the world's first hydrogen production facility based on the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle utilizing nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam on June 26, 2026. The facility was inaugurated by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, in the presence of Shri Sreekumar G. Pillai, Director of IGCAR.
This technology demonstrator facility validates the production of hydrogen using nuclear energy through the indigenously developed Cu-Cl thermochemical process created by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai. The successful integration of nuclear process heat with hydrogen generation represents a pioneering technological breakthrough that opens pathways for large-scale, carbon-free hydrogen production using advanced nuclear reactors.
The facility leverages the unique capabilities of FBTR, India's only operating fast reactor research facility, and builds upon more than four decades of operational experience and technological excellence gained through the Fast Breeder Test Reactor programme at IGCAR. The Cu-Cl thermochemical cycle is considered one of the most promising hydrogen production technologies due to its relatively lower operating temperatures and higher thermodynamic efficiency compared to other methods.
This achievement demonstrates IGCAR's leadership in advanced reactor technologies and innovative non-electric applications of nuclear energy, while showcasing the successful translation of BARC's indigenous technology. The project represents the culmination of extensive research, process development, engineering design, equipment fabrication, installation, testing, and commissioning efforts undertaken jointly by BARC and IGCAR.
The plant will provide valuable operational experience, facilitate further optimization of the Cu-Cl process, and support future research aimed at scaling up nuclear-assisted hydrogen production technologies for commercial deployment. This advancement supports India's three-stage nuclear programme by expanding the role of nuclear energy beyond electricity generation into clean hydrogen production, contributing to the country's energy security, decarbonization goals, and long-term sustainable development objectives.