India’s private sector is expected to invest about Rs. 7.5 tn and contribute 30 GW to the country’s planned 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty said. India currently has about 9 GW of installed nuclear capacity, while the government is seeking to accelerate expansion beyond the traditional public-sector model.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) operates 24 reactors with a combined capacity of about 9 GW. A further 17 reactors, with total capacity of around 13 GW, are at various stages of implementation. Mohanty said private companies were assessing reactor technologies, fuel arrangements, land requirements and possible partnerships with NPCIL and overseas technology providers.

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, enacted in December 2025, opened the sector to wider participation by public and private entities while retaining sovereign control over sensitive activities. Nuclear projects generally require five to seven years to build, depending on technology, regulatory approvals and construction requirements. The estimated cost of generating 1 MW is about Rs. 250 mn.

India is also exploring small modular reactors for specialised requirements in industries such as steel and cement. These reactors could support captive power at individual facilities or groups of industrial units, subject to reactor design, regulatory provisions and the commercial model adopted. Electricity costs from new nuclear projects will remain a significant consideration for investors and power purchasers.

The expansion is linked to India’s three-stage nuclear programme, which aims to increase use of domestic resources, including thorium. The first stage uses uranium-fuelled reactors, while the second is based on fast breeder technology. The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality in April 2026, marking India’s entry into the second stage. The country has also signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with 18 countries, creating scope for further technology and engineering partnerships.