NTPC Eyes 30 GW Nuclear Power Capacity By 2047, Plans Feasibility Studies In Uttar Pradesh And More States

India’s largest power generation company is expanding its nuclear energy ambitions, with NTPC planning feasibility studies in Uttar Pradesh and other states as it works towards building 30 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

The state-owned company aims to contribute to India’s target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, as the country seeks to diversify its energy mix and expand non-fossil fuel electricity generation.

NTPC has completed feasibility studies in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, identifying Banka in Bihar, Basai in Madhya Pradesh and Nabarangpur in Odisha as potential locations for nuclear power projects. The company will now explore additional states, with Uttar Pradesh among those on its list, a senior official said.

NTPC is considering projects with an average capacity of 1,400 megawatts (MW), comprising two units of 700 MW each. The proposed developments will undergo technical scrutiny before moving towards implementation.

Feasibility reports are submitted to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The Standing Site Selection Committee examines the proposals and, if the locations are found technically suitable, forwards them to the Atomic Energy Commission for further consideration.

The financial and infrastructure requirements are substantial. Industry estimates put the investment needed to establish 1 GW of nuclear capacity at ₹15,000 crore to ₹20,000 crore. A project could take at least three years from the conceptual stage to commissioning, depending on the development process.

A reliable, continuous water supply is another key requirement, while land needs vary according to the project’s size and safety requirements.

For technology and project development, NTPC is exploring potential collaborations with international companies, including Westinghouse of the United States, Russia’s Rosatom and France’s EDF, for large pressurised water reactor projects in India.

According to estimates by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), achieving the national target of 100 GW would require an investment of around ₹15 lakh crore, including the addition of approximately 91 GW to the country’s existing nuclear capacity of 8.8 GW.

NTPC, which has expanded beyond its traditional thermal power operations into hydro, solar and other energy sources, has an installed capacity of more than 91,000 MW and supplies around one-fourth of India’s electricity demand.

The proposed nuclear expansion marks another step in the company’s long-term strategy to diversify power generation as India pursues its energy and decarbonisation goals.