Expansion Policy Aiming for India's Civil Nuclear Power Capacity to Reach 100 Gigawatts by 2047

Expansion Policy Aiming for India's Civil Nuclear Power Capacity to Reach 100 Gigawatts by 2047

India's ambitious nuclear energy mission aims to increase its nuclear capacity from the current ~8.2 GW to a staggering 100 GW by 2047. This ambitious goal aligns with India's broader objectives of becoming a developed nation by 2047 ("Viksit Bharat") and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Current Status and Strategy

As of 2025, India's installed nuclear capacity stands at approximately 8.18 GW. The government aims to increase this to 25 GW by 2032 through current projects and incremental additions. Beyond 2032, India seeks to add about 77 GW over the next 15 years (2032–2047), requiring accelerated construction cycles, faster regulatory clearances, and substantial private sector engagement.

The Nuclear Energy Mission has earmarked ₹20,000 crore (~$2.5 billion) for developing at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033 to create a scalable and flexible nuclear energy platform. Reforms needed include amendment of the Atomic Energy Act (1962) and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) to facilitate private investment and foreign participation, up to 49% foreign stakes are being considered.

Establishing an autonomous Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority and digital single-window clearance systems are underway to improve governance and accelerate project approvals. Financing mechanisms are being aligned by including nuclear energy under the national green taxonomy and exploring blended finance from institutions like the World Bank and IAEA to reduce borrowing costs below 7%.

Future Prospects

A recommended integrated pathway includes a combination of 60 GW PHWR capacity expansion, 20 GW from SMRs, and 20 GW from imported advanced reactors to reach the 100 GW target by 2047. Success is contingent on affordable finance, land acquisition, public acceptance, and resolving liability and regulatory bottlenecks.

Demonstrating operational SMRs and establishing joint ventures with public and private firms (e.g., NPCIL partnering with NTPC and private players) will be critical for scaling. If 15-20 GW additional capacity is operational by 2030 with more reactors under construction, India can sustain an accelerated growth trajectory from 2030 to 2047.

Alignment with Renewable Energy Goals

Nuclear power is viewed as a "clean firm" energy source that complements intermittent renewables like solar and wind by providing stable, on-demand power. The push for 100 GW nuclear capacity parallels India’s renewable targets under the national electricity mix decarbonization strategy and the pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

Nuclear energy is expected to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby supporting renewable energy's role in achieving a sustainable and reliable energy system. The development of SMRs on retired coal sites also reflects an integrated approach to transition from fossil fuels to a cleaner, diverse energy portfolio.

Challenges

Achieving 100 GW is widely recognized as ambitious with significant hurdles including bureaucratic delays, financing challenges, public acceptance, and supply chain readiness. Historical slow progress (current capacity lags past interim targets) underscores the need for accelerated implementation and reforms.

Political will, private sector engagement, and technological advancements remain critical success factors. Three measures build trust for nuclear power projects: early, transparent engagement, community benefit sharing equal to one percent of project cost, and a single-window system for approvals.

In summary, India’s nuclear mission to reach 100 GW by 2047 is strategically significant and aligned with the country’s clean energy and development goals. It involves a comprehensive reform, finance, and technology roadmap but faces considerable implementation challenges that must be addressed to realize its full potential.

Notable developments include the Budget of 2025-26 reframing nuclear energy as a keystone of national strategy, tying the 100-GW objective to 2047 and juxtaposing it against the Net Zero 2070 pledge made at COP26. India's domestic uranium production currently meets less than a quarter of its demand, but new deposits and long-term import contracts are improving resilience. Lifecycle studies place PHWR emissions at roughly 12 g CO2-eq per kWh, lower than solar photovoltaic plus battery storage (about 45 g).

Passing amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and CLNDA, enacting the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Law, and launching SMR pilots on retired coal sites are key actions in the first phase of the plan. India now operates 24 reactors, with an average lifetime load factor of about 82 percent. Coal generates three-quarters of India's electricity, hindering decarbonisation efforts. The World Bank-International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) partnership (June 2025) broke the three-decade taboo on multilateral financing for nuclear projects.

1. India's nuclear energy strategy aims to increase its nuclear capacity from the current 8.18 GW to a projected 100 GW by 2047, aligning with its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 ("Viksit Bharat") and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
2. The government plans to expand nuclear capacity to 25 GW by 2032 through current projects and incremental additions, with the potential for increased private sector engagement.
3. Beyond 2032, about 77 GW will be added over the next 15 years, requiring accelerated construction cycles, faster regulatory clearances, and substantial private sector involvement.
4. India has earmarked ₹20,000 crore for developing at least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033 to create a scalable and flexible nuclear energy platform.
5. Reforms needed include amendment of the Atomic Energy Act (1962) and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) to facilitate private investment and foreign participation.
6. Establishing an autonomous Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority and digital single-window clearance systems are being implemented to improve governance and accelerate project approvals.
7. Financing mechanisms are being aligned by including nuclear energy under the national green taxonomy and exploring blended finance from institutions like the World Bank and IAEA to reduce borrowing costs.
8. Success is dependent on affordable finance, land acquisition, public acceptance, and resolving liability and regulatory bottlenecks.
9. Operational SMRs and joint ventures with public and private firms will be crucial for scaling nuclear energy.
10. Nuclear power is considered a "clean firm" energy source that complements intermittent renewables, supporting renewable energy's role in achieving a sustainable and reliable energy system.
11. India's domestic uranium production currently meets less than a quarter of its demand, but new deposits and long-term import contracts are improving resilience.
12. Lifecycle studies place PHWR emissions at roughly 12 g CO2-eq per kWh, making them more efficient than solar photovoltaic plus battery storage.
13. Passing amendments to the Atomic Energy Act, enacting the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Law, and launching SMR pilots on retired coal sites are key actions in the initial phase of the plan.
14. India currently operates 24 reactors, with an average lifetime load factor of about 82 percent.
15. Coal generates three-quarters of India's electricity, hindering decarbonisation efforts, but the nuclear energy mission aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
16. Achieving 100 GW is considered ambitious with significant hurdles including bureaucratic delays, financing challenges, public acceptance, and supply chain readiness.
17. In conclusion, India's nuclear energy mission is strategically significant and aligned with the country's clean energy and development goals, but it faces considerable implementation challenges that must be addressed to realize its full potential.

Read also: