NTPC, India’s largest power producer, has approached the government to approve the bulk purchase of nuclear reactors as part of the nation’s drive to expand atomic energy capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The state-run company plans to acquire large nuclear units ranging from 700 MW to 1,730 MW, though the final tender size is yet to be decided. Bulk procurement is expected to help lower overall costs, sources familiar with the matter said.

NTPC is spearheading India’s plan to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear generation capacity by 2047, more than 11 times the current total. The company intends to install nearly a third of this target. This effort aligns with New Delhi’s push to attract private investment in the nuclear sector amid a global resurgence in atomic energy, seen as a source of reliable, low-carbon power.

India, the world’s third-largest CO2 emitter, remains heavily reliant on coal, which accounts for 85 per cent of NTPC’s current generation capacity. Since commissioning its first reactor in 1969, the country has installed 8.8 GW of nuclear capacity. Meeting the 2047 target would require building nearly half that capacity each year over the next two decades.

The nuclear sector faces challenges, including identifying safe sites, securing suppliers for diverse reactor technologies, and obtaining local support. NTPC’s first nuclear plant, a joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India, is expected to be operational by 2036.

This move underlines NTPC’s commitment to transitioning towards sustainable and low-carbon energy, supporting India’s climate goals while ensuring reliable power supply.

News source: CNBC TV18