India’s Nuclear Target: Bridging the Gap to 100 GW by 2047

India’s declaration to scale up its nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by the year 2047 marks a defining milestone in the country’s long-term energy planning. As the world’s most populous nation moves to strengthen its clean energy base, nuclear energy is now being positioned as a central pillar in meeting future electricity demand while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, while the direction is clear, the path to achieving this target requires close examination. How many more reactors must India add to reach the 100 GW goal? What does the current pipeline of under-construction and planned projects actually look like? Can the country realistically meet this capacity by 2047, within the remaining two decades? And most importantly, what concrete plans are being implemented to close the remaining gap? Here we are going to answer these questions in detail.

Evaluating the Capacity Shortfall to Achieve 100 GW

As of April 2025, India operates 25 nuclear reactors spread across seven power stations, delivering a combined installed capacity of 8,880 megawatts (MW). This marks a notable leap from the 4,780 MW recorded in 2014, reflecting the country’s steady progress in nuclear energy deployment.

Achieving large-scale nuclear expansion, however, demands more than ambition. It requires a practical, well-defined roadmap—one that lays out clear, achievable milestones. India’s target of reaching 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 suggests such a strategic framework is already in place or in advanced stages of formulation.

To meet this goal, India would need to scale up its nuclear capacity more than eleven-fold within just over two decades—translating to an average annual increase of approximately 4.15 GW. The first step in assessing the feasibility of this objective is to review the reactors currently under construction and those officially planned. This assessment will help estimate the additional capacity likely to come online in the coming years and, in turn, define the remaining gap that must be filled to reach the 100 GW benchmark.

The following reactors are currently under construction:

Total Capacity Under Construction: 6,600 MW

The following reactors are in the planned phase:

Total Planned Capacity: 8,000 MW

With an installed capacity of 8,880 MW already in place, an additional 6,600 MW under construction, and another 8,000 MW in the planning pipeline, India is set to reach a total of 23,480 MW in the coming years. While this marks steady progress, it still leaves a formidable gap of 76,520 MW to bridge in order to meet the 100 GW nuclear capacity target by 2047.

This is where the real challenge—and opportunity—emerges. How does India plan to close this significant gap within just 22 years? What strategies are being crafted to deliver such an ambitious expansion? And perhaps most critically, are these plans both practical and execution-ready?

Who Will Fill the 76 GW Gap: India’s Three-Pronged Strategy?

1. The Private Sector Surge:

India’s nuclear energy sector is on the brink of a structural transformation, driven by proposed amendments to the Atomic Energy Act of 1962. As outlined in the 2025–26 Union Budget, these reforms aim to open the doors for private participation, ending NPCIL’s exclusive control over nuclear plant construction and operation. The move has already triggered strong interest from top industrial players, marking a turning point in how nuclear energy is perceived—no longer just a state-run utility, but an investable, scalable energy asset.

Leading the charge is Jindal Nuclear Power Private Ltd, a subsidiary of Jindal Renewables, which has announced a plan to develop 18 GWe of nuclear capacity over the next two decades, backed by a $21 billion investment. The company aims to deploy a mix of Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs), SMRs, and Gen-IV technologies, ensuring long-term scalability.

Tata Power is also repositioning itself, planning to reinvest proceeds from the divestment of $1 billion in non-core international assets into nuclear and renewables. Its entry is expected to catalyze broader industry adoption, given its proven track record in infrastructure.

The Vedanta Group, under Anil Agarwal, has issued Expressions of Interest (EoIs) to develop 5,000 MWe of capacity through a turnkey project in collaboration with a global reactor vendor—aiming for rapid execution and market entry.

Reliance Industries has committed $5.7 billion in investments in Assam over the next five years, with a portion earmarked for nuclear energy. Given its size and capabilities, Reliance’s involvement could lower costs, streamline supply chains, and accelerate commercialization.

The Adani Group is making a major strategic shift toward nuclear, with plans to develop 30 GW of capacity. Gautam Adani’s recent visit to the Tarapur Maharashtra Site signals deep interest in integrating nuclear into the group’s broader energy ambitions and forging international partnerships.

Meanwhile, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) continues to strengthen its position as a key EPC contractor and supplier in the nuclear sector, offering critical support for both domestic and international projects.

In the coming years, more private players are expected to follow, as policy clarity and commercial incentives improve. Their participation will be vital in bridging the 76 GW gap.

2. NTPC's Nuclear Turn:

India’s largest power producer, NTPC, is emerging as a critical force in the country’s nuclear energy expansion, with a bold plan to develop 30 GW of nuclear capacity over the next two decades—three times more than initially projected—at an estimated cost of $62 billion. Traditionally a coal-dominated utility, NTPC’s strategic pivot signals a monumental shift toward clean, firm, baseload power, underscoring its long-term commitment to decarbonization and energy security.

To lead this transition, NTPC has set up a dedicated subsidiary, NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam Limited (NPUNL), tasked with executing commercial nuclear power projects. In parallel, the government has approved a joint venture between NTPC and NPCIL—Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd (ASHVINI)—which will build, own, and operate nuclear power plants. The Mahi Banswara project, comprising four 700 MWe PHWRs, has already been transferred from NPCIL to Ashvini for implementation.

In January 2025, the long-standing NTPC-NPCIL joint venture was restructured, giving NPCIL 51% and NTPC 49% ownership. This move formalized the transfer of the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project under Ashvini’s control.

Site evaluations for future nuclear projects are underway in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Karnataka, with regulatory clearances from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in progress. NTPC has mobilized dedicated teams to oversee these developments.

On the international front, NTPC is actively seeking global partners for joint development of large-scale nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 15 GW. Through recent tenders, the company has invited collaborations based on pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology, with requirements for long-term fuel supply agreements—marking one of the first major global outreach efforts since India initiated nuclear sector reforms.

NTPC’s deep institutional strength, ambitious nuclear roadmap, and evolving global partnerships place it at the center of India’s nuclear growth strategy. Its contribution will be decisive in making the 100 GW nuclear target not only credible but increasingly achievable.

3. Leveraging International Participation:

India is actively strengthening international collaboration in the nuclear sector, with key reforms and high-level diplomatic progress driving foreign participation. A pivotal move is the proposed amendment to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010, specifically Section 17(b), which imposes supplier liability beyond global norms. This clause has long deterred foreign vendors. Now, expert committees from DAE, AERB, NITI Aayog, and the Ministry of Law and Justice are drafting amendments to align the law with international standards.

On March 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy approved Holtec International to transfer SMR technology to India, closely linked to the Kovvada project in Andhra Pradesh (6 × 1,208 MW). This follows the January 2025 delisting of Indian entities like BARC and IGCAR from the U.S. Entity List—a diplomatic breakthrough stemming from talks between Prime Minister Modi and former President Trump.

France has also advanced its nuclear ties with India. In February 2025, both countries signed a Letter of Intent to cooperate on SMRs and AMRs, while negotiations on the 9.6 GW Jaitapur EPR project (6 × EPRs) have resumed. EDF is already offering technical training in EPR operations, signaling long-term collaboration.

Russia remains India’s most established nuclear ally. Four VVER-1000 units are under construction at Kudankulam, and Indian suppliers may now, with Rosatom’s backing, participate in overseas projects such as Türkiye’s Akkuyu plant.

In a breakthrough on advanced fuels, Clean Core Thorium Energy, a U.S. firm, will deploy its proprietary ANEEL fuel—a thorium and HALEU blend—through NTPC, enabling use in existing PHWRs and supporting India’s thorium ambitions.

These strategic alliances—with the U.S., France, Russia, and advanced nuclear firms—position foreign collaboration as a significant contributor to India’s nuclear expansion.

To conclude, yes, India is well-positioned to achieve its 100 GW nuclear capacity target within the next two decades. The strategies currently underway—ranging from private sector participation to NTPC’s expanding role and international collaborations—are not only practical but among the most effective steps the country has taken in the nuclear sector so far. The completion of the amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), will further unlock opportunities, making way for faster, broader, and more inclusive development. A key milestone in this journey will be the 6th India Nuclear Business Platform (INBP) 2025, scheduled for 14–15 October in Mumbai. This major forum will bring together policymakers, global stakeholders, and industry leaders to shape the next phase of India’s nuclear roadmap. With the right execution, India is on a clear and credible path to reaching its nuclear goals.