- NTPC, traditionally a coal-dominated utility, is looking for partners with pressurised water reactor (PWR) technology to help set up large-scale nuclear plants.
- NTPC aims to develop 30 GW of nuclear capacity over the next two decades, an investment estimated at $62 billion.
India’s top power producer, NTPC Ltd., is seeking global partners to help develop 15 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity, according to a newly issued tender. The move signals India’s intent to accelerate its nuclear energy expansion, aiming for 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.
NTPC, traditionally a coal-dominated utility, is looking for partners with pressurised water reactor (PWR) technology to help set up large-scale nuclear plants. The tender specifies that the selected partners must also commit to a lifetime supply of nuclear fuel.
The company requires regulatory clearances from the partner’s country of origin and compliance with Indian nuclear policies, including obtaining or possessing a license for the proposed technology.
The move follows India’s recent decision to amend its nuclear liability laws. This longstanding barrier has deterred foreign investors such as GE and Westinghouse due to concerns over stringent compensation liabilities in case of nuclear accidents.
Since 1962, India’s Atomic Energy Act has restricted private investments in the nuclear sector, making the state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) the sole operator of the country’s 8 GW nuclear capacity. However, with a target of 20 GW by 2032 and an ambition to reach 100 GW by 2047, India is now opening the doors to foreign collaboration.
NTPC aims to develop 30 GW of nuclear capacity over the next two decades, an investment estimated at $62 billion.
The tender comes at a critical juncture as India seeks to diversify its energy mix, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen energy security. Nuclear power is a key pillar in India’s strategy to reduce dependence on coal while meeting the nation’s growing electricity demand.
With the legal landscape evolving and NTPC’s ambitious plans, India is signalling a strong commitment to nuclear power—potentially positioning itself as a major player in the global nuclear energy sector in the coming decades.