Science & Technology★ Must Know

DAE inaugurates the world's first Cu-Cl cycle hydrogen plant using nuclear heat

By TestNeeti Editorial TeamPublished Monday, 6 July 2026 2 min readSource: thenewsmill.comArticle 1 of 26

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) inaugurated the world's first hydrogen production facility based on the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle, using nuclear heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, on June 26, 2026. It was inaugurated by Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), in the presence of Sreekumar G. Pillai, Director of IGCAR. The facility is a technology demonstrator validating hydrogen production using nuclear energy through the indigenously developed Cu-Cl process by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai. The Cu-Cl cycle is considered among the most promising hydrogen technologies due to its lower operating temperatures and higher thermodynamic efficiency. The DAE said the achievement is a step towards AtmaNirbhar Bharat and a low-carbon energy future for Viksit Bharat.

Key Facts & Details

9 points

1
The DAE inaugurated the world's first hydrogen plant based on the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle.
2
It uses nuclear heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, inaugurated on June 26, 2026.
3
It was inaugurated by Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
4
The indigenous Cu-Cl process was developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.
5
The Cu-Cl cycle offers lower operating temperatures and higher thermodynamic efficiency, cutting reliance on fossil fuels.
6
The DAE framed the facility as a step towards AtmaNirbhar Bharat and clean energy for Viksit Bharat.

Deep Dive

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IGCAR, established in 1971, is a premier DAE institution spearheading the Fast Breeder Reactor programme.
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Knowledge from over 40 years of FBTR operation supported development of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), central to India's three-stage nuclear programme.
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The plant will provide operational data to optimise the Cu-Cl process and support scaling up nuclear-assisted hydrogen production for commercial use.

Exam Focus

Examiners may ask which thermochemical cycle the plant uses, which reactor supplies the heat, or where the facility is located.

Exam Relevance & Angle

Integrating nuclear process heat with hydrogen production opens a pathway for large-scale, carbon-free hydrogen via advanced reactors. As India pursues decarbonisation and energy security under AtmaNirbhar Bharat, this indigenous BARC-developed Cu-Cl breakthrough strengthens the country's standing in clean energy and advanced nuclear technology.

Target Exams

UPSC CSESSC CGLRBI Grade BSBI PO

Background & Context

Thermochemical hydrogen production splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using a series of chemical reactions driven by heat rather than electricity, avoiding the higher costs of electrolysis. The Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) cycle is attractive because it operates at relatively low temperatures. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, is part of India's three-stage nuclear power programme, which envisions fast breeder reactors using plutonium and eventually thorium. BARC, Mumbai, is India's premier nuclear research centre, driving indigenous reactor and fuel-cycle technologies.