India is aiming to significantly expand its nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047, up from the current 8.8 GW, as part of its long-term energy transition strategy, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ghanshyam Prasad, said.
Speaking at a session on India’s nuclear roadmap in the national capital, Prasad said that a detailed plan has been prepared to achieve the ambitious target.
“A detailed roadmap has already been prepared, outlining the steps needed to achieve the 100 GW target, with legislative reforms forming a key part of the plan,” he said.
He noted that one of the key milestones—the enactment of the Shanti Act—has already been completed. However, further work is underway to frame rules, procedures, and guidelines to operationalise the framework.
“These efforts are currently underway, with a focus on incorporating stakeholder feedback and ensuring smoother implementation,” Prasad added.
The CEA chief said that ongoing deliberations are focused on accelerating financial flows and policy execution, while also simplifying processes to make nuclear energy more cost-effective.
Highlighting key challenges, he pointed to the need for ensuring fuel security, identifying suitable project sites, and developing skilled human resources to support the expansion.
Prasad also indicated that the sector could see wider participation in the coming years. “At present, nuclear power generation is dominated by a single player, but 10 to 12 companies could enter the space in the future, significantly accelerating capacity addition,” he said.
On the operational front, he described nuclear energy as a reliable and stable source of baseload power. “It is a dependable source that can run continuously for years,” he noted, adding that it remains one of the safest forms of power generation when managed properly.
Referring to emerging technologies, Prasad said that Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) present both opportunities and challenges, as they are still under development globally but hold potential for cleaner energy solutions.
-IANS
