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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--India has confirmed its plans to more than double its nuclear capacity by 2032 on its way to achieving 100 gigawatts (GW) of capacity by 2047.
Both large nuclear plants and small modular reactors (SMR) are being positioned as essential technologies to help the country reach its lofty nuclear targets, which have been deemed essential to transitioning the country away from fossil fuels, which account for 240 GW (50.5%) of its energy total. As of June 2025, non-fossil fuel sources contribute 235.7 GW (49%) of total capacity, including 226.9 GW renewable and 8.8 GW nuclear. Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament: "The Government has announced an ambitious Nuclear Energy Mission with a target of reaching a nuclear power capacity of 100 GW by 2047 to contribute significantly in achieving the target of Net Zero by 2070. Its main features are to augment power production from nuclear energy with the least carbon emissions and to cater for the base load requirement which is currently supported by fossil fuel base power plants. Nuclear Energy Mission envisages deployment of large as well as small nuclear power plants in green fields, in brown fields, as captive plants and for off-grid applications in remote locations. This initiative aims for an active partnership with the private sector, R&D of Small Modular Reactors and enabling measures for new advanced technologies."
India has 8.8 GW of nuclear capacity today, supplied by 24 reactors. It aims to hit more than 22 GW in the next seven years, with 18 reactors under development that are expected to add more than 13.6 GW of capacity. This includes the 500-megawatt (MW) prototype Fast Breeder Reactor located in Kalpakkam, which is expected to be commissioned next year. Its success is seen as a vital step to India developing thorium-based reactors in the future, which would allow the country to take advantage of its huge thorium resources and cut its dependence on imported uranium. Industrial Info is tracking 18 related active projects with a combined investment value of US$75 billion. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.
SMRs, a number of which are being investigated, are expected to play a major role in the nuclear plan. According to Singh, the three technologies being worked on by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), India's premier nuclear research facility, are the 200-MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), a 55-MWe SMR and the 5-MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor geared toward hydrogen production. Industrial Info reported recently that NTPC Limited (New Delhi, India) has selected Accenture Solutions (Dublin, Ireland) as the consultant for conducting feasibility studies on deploying SMRs at its aging coal-fired power plants. The deal makes NTPC the first Indian state-owned utility to formally explore SMRs. For additional information, see August 05, 2025, article - India Starts Feasibility Study for Small Modular Reactors.
Singh said: "In-principle approval has been obtained for construction of these demonstration reactors. These demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt of administrative sanction of projects. Lead units of BSMR and SMR are planned to be installed at Department of Atomic Energy sites in collaboration with NPCIL. These plants are designed & developed considering deployment as captive power plants, for repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based plants and for hydrogen production to support the transport sector with the prime objective of decarbonization by increasing the penetration of nuclear energy in the industrial and transport sector."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
Both large nuclear plants and small modular reactors (SMR) are being positioned as essential technologies to help the country reach its lofty nuclear targets, which have been deemed essential to transitioning the country away from fossil fuels, which account for 240 GW (50.5%) of its energy total. As of June 2025, non-fossil fuel sources contribute 235.7 GW (49%) of total capacity, including 226.9 GW renewable and 8.8 GW nuclear. Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament: "The Government has announced an ambitious Nuclear Energy Mission with a target of reaching a nuclear power capacity of 100 GW by 2047 to contribute significantly in achieving the target of Net Zero by 2070. Its main features are to augment power production from nuclear energy with the least carbon emissions and to cater for the base load requirement which is currently supported by fossil fuel base power plants. Nuclear Energy Mission envisages deployment of large as well as small nuclear power plants in green fields, in brown fields, as captive plants and for off-grid applications in remote locations. This initiative aims for an active partnership with the private sector, R&D of Small Modular Reactors and enabling measures for new advanced technologies."
India has 8.8 GW of nuclear capacity today, supplied by 24 reactors. It aims to hit more than 22 GW in the next seven years, with 18 reactors under development that are expected to add more than 13.6 GW of capacity. This includes the 500-megawatt (MW) prototype Fast Breeder Reactor located in Kalpakkam, which is expected to be commissioned next year. Its success is seen as a vital step to India developing thorium-based reactors in the future, which would allow the country to take advantage of its huge thorium resources and cut its dependence on imported uranium. Industrial Info is tracking 18 related active projects with a combined investment value of US$75 billion. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.
SMRs, a number of which are being investigated, are expected to play a major role in the nuclear plan. According to Singh, the three technologies being worked on by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), India's premier nuclear research facility, are the 200-MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR), a 55-MWe SMR and the 5-MWth High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor geared toward hydrogen production. Industrial Info reported recently that NTPC Limited (New Delhi, India) has selected Accenture Solutions (Dublin, Ireland) as the consultant for conducting feasibility studies on deploying SMRs at its aging coal-fired power plants. The deal makes NTPC the first Indian state-owned utility to formally explore SMRs. For additional information, see August 05, 2025, article - India Starts Feasibility Study for Small Modular Reactors.
Singh said: "In-principle approval has been obtained for construction of these demonstration reactors. These demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt of administrative sanction of projects. Lead units of BSMR and SMR are planned to be installed at Department of Atomic Energy sites in collaboration with NPCIL. These plants are designed & developed considering deployment as captive power plants, for repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based plants and for hydrogen production to support the transport sector with the prime objective of decarbonization by increasing the penetration of nuclear energy in the industrial and transport sector."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
