Government Targets 100 GW Nuclear Power Capacity by 2047; Focus on Advanced Reactor Development and Global Partnerships

New Delhi, August 8: Nuclear energy currently accounts for around 3% of India’s total electricity generation, contributing 56.7 billion units out of a total 1,830 billion units produced in 2024–25, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said the installed nuclear capacity of 8,780 MW (excluding the 100 MW RAPS-1, under long-term shutdown) is set to rise to 22,380 MW with the progressive completion of ongoing projects. Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, the target is to reach 100 GW by 2047.

Capacity Expansion and Ongoing Projects

Four reactors – KKNPP Units 3 to 6 (4 x 1,000 MW) – are under construction at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, along with the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam. Additionally, a fleet of ten 700 MW indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) is under implementation.

Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP)

Established as the sixth R&D unit under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), GCNEP plays a key role in capacity building and international cooperation, including with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It has MoUs with 17 international agencies and countries, conducting over 100 international and national programmes since 2017 to promote safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear energy.

Criteria for Nuclear Plant Sites

The government clarified that nuclear plants require specific conditions, including avoiding seismic zone V, ensuring distance from active faults, adequate land availability, cooling water sources, and sound foundation conditions. Innovative contracting, mega EPC packages, and advanced construction methods are being used to shorten project timelines.

Advanced Reactor Development

India is advancing designs for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) featuring:

• Passive safety systems and fail-safe mechanisms for enhanced emergency response time.
• Cybersecurity-resilient infrastructure isolated from the internet, developed in-house by DAE’s Computer and Information Security Advisory Group (CISAG).
• Peer-reviewed, regulator-approved multi-physics simulation codes for safety analysis and design optimisation, validated through experimental data.

The DAE is also focusing on in-house development of customised computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes to simulate complex thermal-hydraulic and structural conditions for future advanced reactors.

Dr Singh emphasised that India’s nuclear expansion strategy integrates indigenous technology development, global partnerships, and advanced safety standards to achieve its long-term clean energy goals.