India has unveiled an ambitious plan to scale its nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047 as part of its broader strategy to transition to clean energy and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
The announcement was made during a recent meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power, chaired by Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal, who also oversees Housing and Urban Affairs. The central topic of discussion was the roadmap for expanding nuclear power generation as a reliable, non-fossil energy source.
Nuclear Power: A Critical Component of India’s Green Agenda
Highlighting the critical role of the power sector, which contributes over 40% of global energy-related emissions, the Minister emphasized that nuclear energy offers a stable, clean alternative to fossil fuels. Beyond electricity generation, nuclear power can support non-electric applications such as:
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Hydrogen production
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Desalination
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Industrial process steam
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Space heating
These applications are expected to play a key role in India’s energy transformation and industrial decarbonization efforts.
Current Status and Future Roadmap
India currently operates 25 nuclear reactors across seven locations with a total installed capacity of 8,880 MW, providing approximately 3% of the nation’s electricity. An additional eight reactors with a combined capacity of 6,600 MW are under construction, and ten more reactors totaling 7,000 MW are in the pre-project stage.
Looking ahead, under the government’s ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ vision, the country aims to expand its nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047, significantly enhancing energy security and clean energy contributions.
Reforms and Strategic Measures
To achieve this goal, the Minister outlined several critical strategies and reforms, including:
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Amending the Atomic Energy Act (1962) and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) to open the sector to greater private and state participation
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Expanding existing nuclear sites to speed up land acquisition
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Streamlining regulatory approvals and permitting processes
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Classifying nuclear energy as green power
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Providing tax incentives and long-term financing to attract investment and reduce project costs
The plan also calls for stronger efforts to raise public awareness of nuclear safety and improve the perception of nuclear energy.
Focus on Indigenous Development and Workforce
The Minister stressed the importance of ‘Make in India’ in promoting domestic manufacturing of nuclear equipment. He also highlighted the need to:
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Diversify uranium supply chains
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Expand the vendor base
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Strengthen nuclear education and training programs to build a skilled workforce
Collaborative Approach and Parliamentary Input
Members of Parliament participating in the discussion offered suggestions on accelerating project implementation, integrating advanced technologies, and developing resilient supply and manpower systems.
In his closing remarks, Shri Manohar Lal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with the Department of Atomic Energy, state governments, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to expedite project execution and ensure a clean, secure, and sustainable energy future for India.
