India's Ambitious Nuclear Energy Mission: A Leap Towards 100 GW by 2047

India’s Nuclear Energy Mission aims to expand nuclear power capacity from 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047, requiring ₹20 lakh crore (US$241 billion USD) investment, robust uranium sourcing, and 61,000 skilled workers. Proposed reforms include private sector participation, tariff regulation, and streamlined land acquisition. Strategies focus on advanced fuel designs, domestic uranium mining, and international partnerships. Financing initiatives target reduced costs and competitive tariffs, while spent fuel management and decommissioning policies ensure sustainability and safety.

India has unveiled an ambitious Nuclear Energy Mission as part of its FY26 budget, setting its sights on expanding nuclear power capacity to an impressive 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047. This represents a tenfold increase from the current 8.8 GW and underscores the nation’s commitment to clean energy and climate goals. To achieve this vision, the government has formed an inter-ministerial committee tasked with creating a comprehensive roadmap for scaling up nuclear energy production.

This initiative, however, is not without challenges. The committee has outlined sweeping reforms and innovative strategies to drive private and international participation, tackle financing hurdles, and address critical safety and operational concerns.

Vision for 2047: Projected Reactor Mix

By 2047, India envisions a diverse mix of nuclear reactors, supported by robust investments, uranium sourcing, and workforce expansion. The projections and requirements for this milestone include:

• Investment Needs: ₹20 lakh crore

• Natural Uranium Demand: 8,000 tonnes annually

• Enriched Uranium Demand: 1,000 tonnes annually

• Heavy Water Requirement: 6,400 tonnes by 2039

• Manpower Needs: 61,000 personnel for operations

Structural Reforms to Drive Growth

To enable this massive expansion, the committee has recommended significant structural reforms:

1. Establishing Design and Site Support Agencies: These entities will assist new operators in navigating the complexities of nuclear power plant development.

   
   

2. Independent Tariff Regulation: For private sector involvement, distancing tariff decisions from government control is seen as crucial.

   
   

3. Resolving Land Acquisition Issues: A high-level committee will be formed to expedite land acquisition for new projects.

Securing a Steady Nuclear Fuel Supply

Currently, India sources uranium for 2.4 GW of its capacity domestically, relying on imports for the rest. To meet the 100 GW target, the country must substantially scale up uranium mining, enrichment, and fuel fabrication. Key strategies proposed include:

• Developing advanced fuel designs, such as HALEU (High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium).

• Expanding domestic uranium mining and enrichment capabilities.

• Acquiring foreign uranium mines and diversifying import sources.

• Strengthening international collaborations for fuel supply and technology transfer.

• Gaining rights to reprocess spent fuel and increasing domestic fabrication capacity.

Financing the Mission: Ensuring Competitive Tariffs

One of the major hurdles in nuclear energy expansion is the high cost of production. Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), for example, currently result in a levelised tariff exceeding ₹6/unit. To make nuclear power cost-competitive, the committee has suggested several financing strategies:

• Providing long-term loans and introducing phased tariff structures.

• Offering interest subsidies and relaxing NPCIL’s dividend payout norms.

• Reducing costs through fleet-mode reactor procurement and phased manufacturing.

• Encouraging tie-ups between public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private players.

• Including nuclear energy in climate finance frameworks.

Managing Spent Fuel and Decommissioning

As nuclear capacity expands, managing spent fuel and decommissioning plants will become critical. The panel has proposed a detailed plan to address back-end fuel management challenges:

• Continuing the reprocessing of spent fuel as a key policy.

• Establishing a comprehensive plant decommissioning policy.

• Creating a dedicated corpus fund for decommissioning activities.

• Assigning waste management responsibilities to operators.

A Strategic Leap for India

India’s Nuclear Energy Mission is a bold step toward achieving energy security and reducing carbon emissions. By fostering innovation, enabling private sector participation, and implementing structural reforms, the country is laying the groundwork for a sustainable and clean energy future.

This mission, if executed effectively, could position India as a global leader in nuclear energy technology, signaling its commitment to addressing climate challenges while meeting the growing energy demands of its population.