India’s largest power producer, NTPC Ltd, is set to significantly expand its nuclear power capacity by establishing 10GW of nuclear plants over the next decade, more than doubling the country’s current nuclear capacity.
NTPC’s Chairman and Managing Director, Gurdeep Singh, announced that the company is in discussions with various states and has sought government approval to create a new subsidiary focused on nuclear power projects.
The potential sites for these projects include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka, all of which require approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
Currently, NTPC collaborates with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) on two nuclear power plants in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
New Subsidiary
The proposed subsidiary, NTPC Nuclear Ltd, will be dedicated to nuclear power projects. NTPC also plans to list its renewable energy arm, NTPC Green Energy Ltd, on the stock market.
The estimated cost for setting up 1MW of nuclear capacity is ₹15 crore, translating to a total investment of ₹1.5 trillion for the planned 10GW expansion.
NTPC’s new nuclear capacity will complement its goal of achieving 60GW of green power capacity by 2032.
The company will partner with technology providers for its standalone nuclear projects. It is also advancing projects through its joint venture with NPCIL, such as the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project.
Technological Advancements
NTPC is exploring the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) with global partners. SMRs, which are smaller and can be manufactured in factories, offer deployment flexibility and play a crucial role in achieving net-zero emissions targets.
Nuclear energy is poised to become a key component of India’s energy mix, ensuring a stable power supply and helping meet emissions targets.