Small Modular Reactors: A Sustainable Future or a Geopolitical Gamble?

An artist’s rendering shows Westinghouse’s planned AP300 small modular nuclear power reactor, which the company officially unveiled on May 4, 2023, and hopes will be built in the United States and around the world.

The world is in a desperate search for clean energy, and small modular reactors (SMRs) have emerged as a promising solution. Unlike traditional nuclear plants, they are smaller, more flexible, and supposedly safer. Countries like India and France are joining hands to develop them, while China already dominates the supply chain for the rare earth materials and uranium needed to make them work. The Indo Pacific, a region already shaped by energy security concerns and power struggles, is now at the center of this nuclear transition. But are SMRs truly the future of sustainable energy, or are they opening the door to new risks?

A New Era of Energy or a New Form of Dependence?

For India, SMRs represent a step toward energy diversification and independence. The push for nuclear energy aligns with its goal of reducing reliance on coal while securing a stable power supply for its growing economy. Teaming up with France to co-develop advanced reactors signals India’s commitment to nuclear energy, but there is a catch. While India is advancing its nuclear sector, China has already positioned itself as a key player by dominating the global rare earth supply and uranium processing. This means that even as countries adopt SMRs, they may still depend on China for the critical resources needed to keep them running. Instead of gaining energy independence, nations might just be replacing one dependency with another.

The Environmental Risks No One is Talking About

SMRs are marketed as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, but the environmental reality is more complicated. These reactors still produce nuclear waste, and many rely on highly enriched uranium, which increases the risk of weapons grade material falling into the wrong hands. Many planned SMR sites are in coastal regions, which makes them vulnerable to rising sea levels, storms, and water shortages. The Indo Pacific is already experiencing severe climate disruptions. Will adding more nuclear reactors to the mix make things better or worse?

Then there is the issue of decommissioning. Large nuclear plants are designed for long term operation, but SMRs, with their smaller size, may require more frequent replacements. That means more nuclear waste disposal, more dismantling, and more long term environmental costs. If SMRs are to be a true clean energy solution, countries need to address these risks now, not later.

A Hidden Threat to Global Stability

The biggest concern with SMRs is not just about energy or the environment. It is about security. Unlike large scale nuclear plants, SMRs are easier to transport and set up, which means they could be deployed in politically unstable regions. While the world has strict safeguards on traditional nuclear technology, smaller reactors could be harder to monitor. Some experts worry that SMRs could create a loophole in non proliferation efforts, giving more countries access to nuclear material that could be weaponized. The Indo Pacific, already home to long standing nuclear tensions between India, China, and Pakistan, cannot afford another trigger point for conflict.

The Indo Pacific’s Nuclear Crossroads

As the world moves toward cleaner energy, the Indo Pacific is becoming the epicenter of nuclear geopolitics. The United States is pushing its own SMR models as an alternative to China’s growing influence, while Russia is already deploying floating nuclear reactors. India is expanding its nuclear sector while carefully balancing its global partnerships.

But energy choices cannot be made based on geopolitics alone. If SMRs are truly the future, they must be safe, sustainable, and well regulated. Otherwise, they risk becoming yet another tool for global power struggles rather than a genuine solution to the climate crisis. The decisions made today will determine whether SMRs bring progress or new problems for generations to come.