NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director Shri B. C. Pathak detailed India’s ambitious nuclear energy roadmap and the major policy reforms shaping the sector’s future. He confirmed that India is targeting a massive scale-up to 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, a significant leap from the current 8,880 MW. By 2032, the country aims to reach about 22,000 MW, with NPCIL contributing nearly 54,000 MW by 2047.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Shri Pathak also highlighted ongoing reforms to enable private participation in nuclear energy, with the government considering amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act. NPCIL’s collaborations with NTPC and other PSUs mark the initial steps toward broader sectoral involvement.
Discussing clean energy initiatives, Shri Pathak emphasized the newly announced “Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat,” under which NPCIL is prepared to play a central role in helping India achieve a net-zero future. He highlighted India’s strong push for next-generation technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). NPCIL, in partnership with BARC, is progressing on Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) development and expanding Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) technology—an advanced version of India’s proven 220 MW PHWRs.
A major thrust area is the fleet-mode construction of 700 MW PHWRs, where NPCIL plans to build groups of 10 reactors at a time to accelerate capacity addition. The second fleet is planned across approved sites such as Kaiga, Kakrapar, Narora, and Bhimpur, with additional sites under evaluation. Shri Pathak reaffirmed the exceptional performance of India’s 700 MW PHWRs, often described as among the safest reactors globally. He noted significant progress in international collaborations, including operational and under-construction reactors at Kudankulam with Russian partnership, ongoing negotiations with France’s EDF for the Jaitapur project, and engagement with Westinghouse for the Kovvada site.
Reassuring the nation about fuel security, Shri Pathak stated that uranium supply remains adequate for upcoming expansions, with India exploring additional avenues such as overseas mining investments. He underscored the cost efficiency of Indian reactors, with recent projects averaging around ?16 crore per MW—among the lowest worldwide—and noted marked improvements in construction schedules. Highlighting India’s strong safety culture, he reminded that one Indian reactor has operated continuously for 962 days, showcasing global leadership in reliability. Concluding the interview, Shri Pathak emphasized that nuclear power remains essential for a carbon-free future, already helping India avoid nearly 40 million tonnes of CO2 annually and offering a clean, stable base-load solution for the country’s growing energy demand.
