Private sector to invest ₹7.5 trillion in India's nuclear expansion plan

India's private sector will play a pivotal role in scaling up the country's nuclear power capacity, with an estimated investment of ₹7.5 lakh crore and contributions of 30 GW by 2047, said Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy.

The nation currently operates approximately 9 GW of installed nuclear capacity and is targeting a tenfold expansion to 100 GW within the next two decades. The State-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) presently manages 24 reactors and will continue to lead the expansion efforts, with private players now being encouraged to enter the sector through new legislative frameworks.

"We expect private sector participation to grow substantially in the coming years," Mohanty said in an interview. "Within five years, we anticipate a couple of private players will be operating reactors. The private sector's contribution of around 30 GW by 2047 will be crucial to achieving our national targets."

The cost of nuclear power generation stands at approximately ₹25 crore per megawatt, according to the AEC Chairman. The move to open the nuclear sector to private investment marks a significant shift in India's energy strategy as the nation seeks to balance growing electricity demand with its commitment to clean energy and carbon neutrality goals.