India needs ₹15 trillion to add 91 GW of nuclear power by 2047

Summary

• ₹15 trillion investment requirement: India is estimated to need ₹15 lakh crore in investment to add 91 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity, taking its total installed nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047.
• A broader role for non-government participants: Under the government’s roadmap, 46 GW of the planned capacity is expected to come from central and state public-sector enterprises, state governments, private companies and joint ventures. This allocation is not exclusively for private firms.
• Meeting rising electricity demand: The nuclear expansion is intended to strengthen reliable, low-carbon electricity supply as India’s peak power demand is projected to rise from 250 GW in FY2024–25 to 459 GW in FY2035–36.

NEW DELHI, October 14, 2026 — India will need an estimated ₹15 lakh crore in capital investment to add 91 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, according to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad. The expansion would take the country’s total nuclear capacity to the government’s target of 100 GW by the centenary of independence.

The estimate comes as India seeks to diversify its electricity mix, strengthen energy security and accommodate rising demand from households, industry and emerging power-intensive sectors. The investment requirement also highlights the scale of financing and project execution needed to expand a sector that has historically been dominated by government-owned entities.

India’s installed nuclear power capacity stands at approximately 8.78 GW across 24 nuclear power plants, according to government figures. Capacity is expected to increase to around 22 GW by FY2031–32 as projects at different stages of implementation are progressively completed. The government’s longer-term roadmap envisages further additions to reach 100 GW by 2047.

Under the roadmap, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is expected to develop approximately 32 GW of additional capacity beyond the projects already in the pipeline, taking its planned contribution to around 54 GW. The remaining 46 GW is expected to be developed through a wider mix of central and state public-sector enterprises, state governments, private companies and joint ventures.

Prasad also highlighted the challenge of meeting rising peak electricity demand. CEA projections cited in reporting put peak demand at 459 GW in FY2035–36, compared with 250 GW in FY2024–25. Nuclear power is being positioned as one source of dependable electricity alongside renewables, coal, hydropower and energy storage.

Opening the nuclear sector to wider participation

India’s nuclear expansion requires substantial capital, long-term planning and the development of additional project execution capabilities. Greater participation from public-sector companies outside the traditional nuclear establishment, along with private firms and joint ventures, is expected to broaden the pool of potential investment and implementation partners.

The government enacted the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act in 2025 to enable wider participation in the nuclear power sector. The legislation represents a significant policy change from the sector’s previous state-dominated structure.

Joint ventures are already part of the expansion framework. Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd (ASHVINI), a joint venture between NTPC Ltd and NPCIL, is implementing four indigenous pressurised heavy water reactors, each with a capacity of 700 megawatts electric (MWe), at Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan.

The government’s roadmap does not, however, assign the entire 46 GW balance to private companies. That capacity is expected to involve multiple ownership structures and business models, including state and central public-sector enterprises, state governments, private participants and joint ventures.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) and other reactor technologies may become part of India’s future nuclear plans. Their eventual contribution will depend on technology selection, regulatory approvals, financing arrangements, project economics and construction performance. Specific deployment schedules and commercial commitments should not be treated as confirmed without project-level announcements.

Nuclear power and the challenge of reliable electricity

The case for expanding nuclear generation is linked to India’s need for dependable electricity as power consumption rises. Solar and wind capacity can grow rapidly, but their output varies with weather and time of day. Nuclear plants can provide sustained generation when operating, complementing variable renewable sources.

The comparison between installed capacity and actual electricity generation is important. A gigawatt of installed capacity does not produce the same amount of electricity across all technologies: annual output depends on operating hours, capacity factors, maintenance and resource availability. Nuclear generation can therefore support system reliability, but it is not a standalone solution to every grid-balancing challenge.

India’s existing nuclear fleet contributed approximately 3.1% of total electricity generation in FY2025–26, according to government figures. Reaching the 100 GW target would materially expand the sector’s potential contribution, although the actual share of electricity supplied will depend on the commissioning schedule and performance of new plants.

The proposed ₹15 lakh crore investment also underscores the importance of financing structures that can support capital-intensive projects over long development and construction periods. Progress will depend on regulatory implementation, access to technology and fuel, supply-chain capacity, skilled personnel and the ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Why this matters

• Broadening the investment base: Participation by private companies, public-sector enterprises and joint ventures could help mobilise capital and execution capacity beyond the traditional nuclear establishment.
• Supporting reliable low-carbon power: Nuclear generation could complement solar and wind as India’s electricity demand grows, although grid reliability will also require transmission, storage and other dispatchable generation.
• Creating opportunities for domestic industry: A sustained nuclear construction programme could generate demand for engineering, heavy equipment, specialised components and construction services. The scale of these opportunities will depend on project approvals, procurement decisions and domestic manufacturing capabilities.
• Strengthening long-term energy planning: The 2047 target gives policymakers and prospective investors a long-term framework, but delivery will depend on clear regulations, viable project economics and implementation milestones.

FAQs

Q1: How much investment does India need to reach its 2047 nuclear target?

The reported estimate is ₹15 lakh crore to add 91 GW of nuclear capacity and reach a total installed capacity of 100 GW by 2047.

Q2: Will private companies deliver all 46 GW outside NPCIL’s planned contribution?

No. The 46 GW balance is expected to involve central and state public-sector enterprises, state governments, private companies and joint ventures. It is not exclusively allocated to private companies.

Q3: What is India’s current nuclear power capacity?

Government figures put installed capacity at approximately 8.78 GW across 24 nuclear power plants. Capacity is expected to rise to around 22 GW by FY2031–32 as projects progress.

Q4: Why is nuclear power part of India’s energy strategy?

Nuclear plants can provide sustained, low-carbon electricity and complement variable renewable generation. Their contribution to energy security will depend on project delivery, operating performance, financing and integration with the wider power system.