Maharashtra is in advanced discussions to establish India’s first thorium-based power plants, marking a significant step in the state’s long-term clean energy transition. The state government is working with the Department of Atomic Energy and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited to finalise plans for two thorium-fuelled nuclear units to be developed on land owned by the state power utility.

Under the proposal, one unit will have a capacity of 1,540 megawatts, while the second will have a capacity of 440 megawatts, taking the total planned capacity to 1,980 megawatts. The proposed facilities are expected to replace two ageing thermal power stations currently operated by the utility, supporting Maharashtra’s strategy to secure reliable baseload power while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering long-term electricity costs.

Thorium is increasingly being positioned as a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional nuclear fuel. Experts highlight that thorium reactors operate at atmospheric pressure and carry a lower risk of meltdown compared with uranium-based systems. India also possesses one of the world’s largest thorium reserves, strengthening the strategic case for domestic adoption of the technology.

Electricity generated from the proposed thorium plants is estimated to cost around Rs 3.50 per unit, which is lower than the cost of most thermal power generation, although initial capital investment is expected to be higher. The Maharashtra Institution for Transformation, the state government’s policy think tank, is coordinating the project design and implementation roadmap.

Earlier, Maharashtra had signed an agreement with Russia’s state nuclear company to explore thorium-based small modular reactors, but collaboration with India’s nuclear utility is now viewed as a more viable and cost-effective approach. Regulatory approvals and project clearances are expected in the coming months, paving the way for a potential breakthrough in India’s nuclear energy landscape.