India Sets Ambitious Nuclear Power Expansion Plans by 2047

New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) — India is on the path to establishing a supportive legal structure aimed at boosting private sector involvement in its nuclear sector, as stated by Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty on Tuesday.

Speaking at the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Mohanty unveiled India's Nuclear Energy Mission, which aims to elevate the country's nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047.

Presently, India manages 24 nuclear reactors with a total output of 8,190 MWe and has set a goal to expand this to 22 GW by 2032. Mohanty highlighted that strategic policy actions and infrastructure investments are being undertaken to reach the 100 GW target by 2047. The focus is on evolving indigenous nuclear technologies and fostering public-private partnerships.

"To stimulate active private sector involvement in this transformative effort, the Government of India is crafting an enabling legal framework within the nuclear sector," Mohanty stated.

He also noted that the government has dedicated over USD 2 billion for research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), aiming to have at least five homegrown SMRs operational by 2033.

Mohanty reported a Plant Load Factor of 87 percent for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) plants during 2024-25. "For the first time in its operational history, NPCIL nuclear plants generated 50 billion units in the last financial year," he added.

He further announced that the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is committed to developing a 200 MWe Bharat SMR based on light water, a 55 MWe SMR, and a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor, intended for clean hydrogen production through integration with a thermochemical plant.

The Fast Breeder Test Reactor constructed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) has successfully completed 34 irradiation campaigns at a target power of 40 MWt. Moreover, the Demonstration Facility for recycling Fast Reactor Spent Fuel was successfully operational, Mohanty mentioned.

He affirmed India's strong commitment to the safety and security of nuclear and radiological materials as a fundamental responsibility for all member states, pledging India's support to the IAEA for a strong, enduring, and transparent global nuclear safety and security framework.

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