India Expands Nuclear Power Capacity

20 Mar 2026 CW Team

Total generation from nuclear plants was 45,855 mn units in 2022-23, 47,971 mn units in 2023-24 and 56,681 mn units in 2024-25, indicating year on year growth. These figures were cited to illustrate recent operational performance of the fleet. The ministry emphasised the role of nuclear generation in meeting low carbon energy objectives.

At present there are 18 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 13,600 MW under implementation, including ten reactors under construction and eight reactors under pre project activities. Projects under construction or commissioning include RAPP-8 of 700 MW, Kudankulam units KKNPP-3 and KKNPP-4 of 1,000 MW each, KKNPP-5 and KKNPP-6 of 1,000 MW each, Gorakhpur Haryana Atomic Power Project units GHAVP-1 and GHAVP-2 of 700 MW each, Kaiga units 5 and 6 of 700 MW each and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor of 500 MW at Kalpakkam. Pre project activities have been approved for additional twin unit sites including GHAVP-3 and GHAVP-4, Chutka-1 and Chutka-2, and four units at Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan.

BHAVINI is currently commissioning the 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam and the government has authorised pre project work for twin FBR units of 500 MW each at the same site. The ministry indicated that on attainment of first criticality of the PFBR, the government will be approached for financial sanction for FBR units one and two. The reply prepared for the Rajya Sabha provided the status and capacity details of ongoing and planned nuclear power projects.

The Department of Atomic Energy has stated that the present installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 8,780 Megawatt (MW), comprising 24 nuclear power plants excluding RAPS-1, a 100 MW unit. The figure reflects central government records submitted in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. The reply was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh. Total generation from nuclear plants was 45,855 mn units in 2022-23, 47,971 mn units in 2023-24 and 56,681 mn units in 2024-25, indicating year on year growth. These figures were cited to illustrate recent operational performance of the fleet. The ministry emphasised the role of nuclear generation in meeting low carbon energy objectives. At present there are 18 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 13,600 MW under implementation, including ten reactors under construction and eight reactors under pre project activities. Projects under construction or commissioning include RAPP-8 of 700 MW, Kudankulam units KKNPP-3 and KKNPP-4 of 1,000 MW each, KKNPP-5 and KKNPP-6 of 1,000 MW each, Gorakhpur Haryana Atomic Power Project units GHAVP-1 and GHAVP-2 of 700 MW each, Kaiga units 5 and 6 of 700 MW each and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor of 500 MW at Kalpakkam. Pre project activities have been approved for additional twin unit sites including GHAVP-3 and GHAVP-4, Chutka-1 and Chutka-2, and four units at Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan. BHAVINI is currently commissioning the 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam and the government has authorised pre project work for twin FBR units of 500 MW each at the same site. The ministry indicated that on attainment of first criticality of the PFBR, the government will be approached for financial sanction for FBR units one and two. The reply prepared for the Rajya Sabha provided the status and capacity details of ongoing and planned nuclear power projects.

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