India’s 100 GW Nuclear Ambition

Electricity demand is rising faster than ever.

More industries are getting electrified, data centres are expanding, and technologies like AI are increasing power consumption.

This is forcing countries to rethink how they generate energy.

Renewable sources like solar and wind are growing quickly, but they depend on the weather.

This is where nuclear energy becomes important.

Nuclear energy works by splitting atoms in a process called fission.

This releases heat, which is used to generate electricity.

The key advantage is that it does not produce direct greenhouse gas emissions during generation.

It also provides continuous power.

This makes it a reliable source of electricity, especially for industries that need a constant power supply.

Globally, nuclear energy is gaining importance again.

Power demand is rising, and countries are seeking clean, stable energy sources.

More than 60 reactors are under construction worldwide. Many estimates suggest that global nuclear capacity could double by 2050.

This shift is not just about climate goals. It is also about ensuring energy security in a world where demand is increasing rapidly.

India is now trying to position itself in this shift.

The push is driven by both necessity and policy.

Around 75 per cent of India’s electricity still comes from thermal sources, with coal at the centre.

This creates both cost and environmental risks.

At the same time, nuclear energy contributes only about 3.1 per cent of total electricity generation as of FY25.

India’s total nuclear capacity stands at around 8.78 GW today.

The long-term target is to scale this up to 100 GW by 2047.

This is a large jump and reflects how important nuclear energy has become in long-term planning.

The goal is not just to reduce emissions but also to build a reliable power base for economic growth.

Policy changes are now trying to accelerate this shift.

The SHANTI Act, passed in 2025, updates older regulations and opens the sector to private and foreign investment.

For decades, nuclear energy in India has been largely controlled by the public sector.

Allowing private participation could bring in capital, technology, and faster execution.

Despite this ambition, India’s current global position remains relatively small.

The United States leads with around 97 GW of nuclear capacity, followed by countries

like France and China, while India accounts for only a small share of global capacity.

This highlights the gap that India is trying to close.

One area where India has a structural advantage is its resource base.

The country holds one of the largest thorium reserves in the world.

These reserves are mainly found in coastal regions like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.

Thorium can be used as an alternative nuclear fuel and is part of India’s long-term strategy. It offers a way to reduce dependence on imported uranium.

This becomes important when you look at current trends.

India imported more than 7,600 tonnes of uranium over the last three years, which shows that even nuclear energy today depends on imports to some extent.

Thorium provides a pathway to reduce this dependence over time.

It also creates an opportunity to build domestic technology.

However, scaling nuclear energy is not simple.

The first challenge is cost. Building nuclear plants requires a very high investment.

Estimates suggest that around ₹15 lakh crore may be needed to reach the 100 GW target by 2047. These projects also take time to complete, which adds to execution risk.

The second challenge is regulation.

While policy changes have started, private participation is still evolving.

Nuclear energy involves strict safety standards and approvals, which can slow down projects. A clear and efficient regulatory system will be important for faster growth.

Another constraint is talent. India currently trains only a few hundred nuclear specialists each year, while the requirement runs into tens of thousands.

This gap needs to be addressed to support large-scale expansion.

Nuclear plants also require significant amounts of water for cooling. Many regions in India already face water stress, which makes expansion more complex.

Despite these challenges, companies are beginning to position themselves in this space.

Larsen and Toubro plays a key role in building nuclear infrastructure.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited is involved across different stages of the nuclear programme.

MTAR Technologies supplies critical components.

NTPC is entering nuclear energy as a developer and operator.

Walchandnagar Industries has long experience in supplying specialised nuclear components.

These companies form the base of India’s nuclear ecosystem.

Looking forward, nuclear energy currently sits at the intersection of energy security, clean power, and long-term growth.

India has the resources, policy direction, and long-term vision.

The challenge now is execution.

Moving from 8.78 GW to 100 GW is not just about adding capacity.

It requires building an ecosystem that includes infrastructure, talent, and regulation. The pace at which this ecosystem is built will ultimately define India’s energy future.

Sources:

• International Atomic Energy Agency
  
• PIB
  
• Drishthi IAS
  
• Visual Capitalist
  
• Stanford
  
• World Nuclear Association
  
• Nuclear Business Platform
  
• L&T
  
• BHEL
  
• MTAR
• World Nuclear Association(NTPC)
• Financial Express