In a significant stride towards diversifying India's energy mix and achieving its clean energy goals, NTPC Ltd, the nation's leading power utility, has announced an ambitious plan to develop 10 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity within the next decade.
This initiative will be undertaken through a new wholly-owned subsidiary, NTPC Nuclear Ltd., established to focus solely on nuclear power generation. The company's chairman and managing director, Gurdeep Singh, revealed that this expansion could involve an investment of approximately Rs 1.5 trillion.
This move aligns with the Indian government's broader objective of installing 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based generation by 2030, including a 20 GW contribution from nuclear sources. Nuclear energy is considered a clean energy source that can play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions.
NTPC is currently evaluating potential sites for nuclear power plants in the states of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka, pending regulatory approvals. The company is also exploring the potential of small modular reactor (SMR) technologies, which could be deployed through the new nuclear subsidiary in the future.
While this is a new independent venture for NTPC, the company is already involved in joint nuclear projects with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) through their existing joint venture, Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited. These projects include the 2.8 GW Mahi Banswara plant in Rajasthan and the 1.4 GW Chutka project in Madhya Pradesh.
NTPC's 10 GW nuclear capacity target would more than double India's current installed nuclear capacity of approximately 7 GW. This substantial increase in nuclear power generation will contribute significantly to India's energy security and sustainability goals.
The company's nuclear ambition is part of a larger strategy to expand its renewable and clean energy footprint. While currently heavily reliant on coal-based power generation, NTPC aims to achieve 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032, complementing its nuclear energy initiatives.
