India has unveiled a roadmap to increase its nuclear installed capacity more than tenfold, from the current 8.88 GW to 100 GW by the year 2047. This massive expansion—requiring an average capacity addition of approximately 4.14 GW per year for 22 years—is central to the country’s aspiration to become a $30 trillion economy and achieve its net-zero by 2070 commitment.
By 2047, non-fossil fuel sources are expected to meet over 80% of installed electricity capacity, with nuclear power serving as a critical baseload, low life cycle carbon source to manage grid intermittency and decarbonize hard-to-abate industries.
Key Strategies and Technological Focus
The path to 100 GW requires strategic adoption and localization of multiple reactor technologies:
- India’s proprietary three-stage nuclear programme, designed to utilize domestic thorium reserves, will continue.
- Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology will remain the foundation for nuclear capacity addition over the next decade.
- The adoption and indigenization of imported Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) technology must be accelerated.
- Future reactor designs should support flexible operation to complement variable renewable energy sources.
- While large reactors are planned for grid applications, the committee suggests deploying small reactors for captive use (e.g., hydrogen production, process steam, and desalination).
Overcoming Regulatory and Financial Challenges
The committee identified the current regulatory and financial framework as the most significant hurdle and suggested sweeping legislative changes:
Suggested Amendments – Atomic Energy Act, 1962
The rules currently restrict participation to Central Government companies. Proposed amendments aim for Wider Participation and competition:
- Allow any company (not just Central Govt Company) to operate Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) under a license.
- Allow any company to handle front end fuel cycle activities under a license.
- Explore Tariff Based Bidding and introduce mechanisms to deliberately distance the Government from the tariff regulation process.
Suggested Amendments – CLND Act, 2010
To allay supplier apprehension and uncertainty regarding liability, changes to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act are proposed:
- Supplier Liability Cap: Liability of the supplier should be capped and clearly defined in the contract between the supplier and the operator.
- Section 46 Rewording: Reword Section 46 to specify that there should be no civil liability under any other law for nuclear damage.
- Definition of Supplier: Restrict the definition of “Supplier” to focus exclusively on providers of critical equipment.
Financial, Manpower, and Supply Chain Requirements
The incremental investment required to achieve 100 GW capacity is estimated to be approximately ₹19 lakh crore. With budgetary support expected to decline, the sector must find ways to arrange this vast capital from both public and private sources.
The construction phase will peak at 1,20,000 personnel in 2041, while plant operations will require about 61,000 personnel in 2047. Current training capacity falls far short of these needs.
The Heavy Water Board (HWB) will require additional financial resources and potential corporatization to meet the peak demand of approximately 6,400 tonnes of heavy water (used in PHWRs) estimated for 2039-40.
The creation of an independent “Design and Site Support Agency” under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is proposed to provide technical assistance and hand-holding to new entrants (PSUs and Private IPPs) interested in setting up PHWR plants, as the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) focuses on its own expansion.
The Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP) needs augmentation of its pay-out capacity (currently limited to ₹1500 crore). Property insurance for hot zone assets (assets within the nuclear reactor zone) must be made available to enable private sector risk transfer and reassure lenders.