Naveen Jindal Group is exploring multiple locations in nine states to develop 18 gigawatt (GW) of nuclear capacity through Jindal Nuclear Power Private Limited, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Jindal Renewables. The group has engaged with state governments and is evaluating coastal and inland sites, considering Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh among others. The initiative forms part of an energy diversification drive aimed at supporting the government’s target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.

Site assessments are being conducted on parameters that include land availability, water resources, geological and seismic suitability, transmission connectivity and regulatory readiness, the group indicated. Long-term project viability and access to cooling water and grid links are central to the selection process. The group is also in talks with various technology partners to finalise technical arrangements.

The plan envisages deployment of large modular reactors (LMRs) of 700 megawatt (MW) and above across the projects, with each plant sized to accommodate multiple reactor modules. The group official said the choice of reactors aims to combine scalable capacity with standardised designs to speed deployment. Project timelines are expected to span around three years from concept to commissioning for each unit.

Industry estimates cited by the group put capital expenditure at about Rs 150 bn–Rs 200 bn to establish one GW plant, where billion (bn) denotes 1,000 million. On the basis of those figures, building 18 GW would imply investments in the range of about Rs 2.7 tn–Rs 3.6 tn, where trillion (tn) denotes 1,000 billion. The group has indicated that it is engaging potential investors and technology suppliers as it advances feasibility studies.