India will need an estimated ₹15 lakh crore in investment to add 91 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, according to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad. The investment requirement comes as India pursues a national target of 100 GW of installed nuclear capacity to meet rising electricity demand, strengthen energy security and expand its sources of low-carbon electricity. The country currently has approximately 8.78 GW of nuclear capacity, according to government figures.
Achieving the target will require more than building reactors. India must mobilise long-term capital, develop manufacturing and engineering capabilities, secure sites and regulatory approvals, expand transmission infrastructure and establish commercially workable arrangements for selling electricity. The government is also looking to broaden participation in nuclear power, including through private companies and joint ventures. The proposed expansion represents a long-term infrastructure programme rather than an immediate addition to India’s electricity supply.
Key Takeaways
- India needs an estimated ₹15 lakh crore to add 91 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, according to the CEA chairperson.
- The national target is 100 GW of installed nuclear capacity by 2047.
- India’s existing nuclear capacity is approximately 8.78 GW, excluding the 100 MW Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Unit 1.
- The government expects nuclear capacity to reach around 22 GW by 2031–32 as projects under implementation are completed.
- Government planning envisages contributions from Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), other public-sector enterprises, state governments, private companies and joint ventures.
- Separate estimates suggest private-sector participation could attract around ₹7.5 lakh crore and contribute approximately 30 GW by 2047.
- Project financing, construction timelines, regulatory requirements, electricity tariffs and supply-chain capacity will be critical to execution.
India’s 100 GW Nuclear Power Target
India announced its ambition to reach 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission outlined in the Union Budget 2025–26.
Nuclear energy is expected to play a role in meeting the country’s long-term electricity requirements because nuclear plants can produce power continuously, subject to maintenance and operational conditions. Unlike solar and wind generation, their output does not depend directly on sunshine or wind speed.
The Department of Atomic Energy has outlined a roadmap that combines the completion of projects already under development with the construction of additional reactors and the participation of new project developers.
India’s nuclear capacity roadmap
| Milestone | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Existing installed capacity | Approximately 8.78 GW |
| Expected capacity by 2031–32 | Approximately 22 GW |
| Long-term target by 2047 | 100 GW |
| Additional capacity required from the current base | Approximately 91 GW |
Source: Department of Atomic Energy and Central Electricity Authority. Figures are rounded; the 91 GW expansion requirement is the estimate cited by the CEA chairperson.
The government expects the completion of projects at various stages of implementation to raise capacity to around 22 GW by 2031–32. NPCIL is also envisaged to add further capacity through indigenous pressurised heavy water reactors and light water reactors.
Under the published roadmap, NPCIL’s planned expansion beyond 2032 would take its capacity contribution to around 54 GW by 2047. The remaining 46 GW is expected to come from other public-sector enterprises, state governments, private-sector participants and joint ventures using different reactor technologies.
These are planning assumptions, not completed projects or guaranteed capacity additions. Actual deployment will depend on project approvals, financing, construction and commissioning.
Why India Needs ₹15 Lakh Crore
Nuclear power projects require substantial upfront investment. Building a plant involves reactor equipment, civil construction, safety systems, cooling infrastructure, grid connections, fuel arrangements and extensive testing before commercial operations can begin.
The investment estimate of ₹15 lakh crore highlights the scale of capital required to build the additional 91 GW. Spread evenly over the roughly 21 years from 2026 to 2047, it would represent an illustrative average of about ₹71,400 crore annually.
That calculation is only a simple arithmetic illustration. Nuclear investments will not be distributed evenly: projects move through different stages, and large payments may be concentrated during construction. The eventual financing requirement will depend on reactor technology, project costs, construction schedules, financing rates and the division of responsibility between public and private participants.
What the investment must support
- Reactor construction: New nuclear units require specialised engineering, civil works and safety systems.
- Equipment manufacturing: Turbines, generators, reactor components and other specialised equipment require qualified suppliers and manufacturing capacity.
- Grid infrastructure: New plants need transmission connections capable of delivering electricity to demand centres.
- Fuel and operations: Nuclear programmes require long-term fuel planning, maintenance capability, trained personnel and secure operating arrangements.
- Project development: Land, environmental assessments, licensing, site preparation and other approvals can take considerable time.
The funding requirement therefore extends beyond the headline cost of reactor construction. A broader ecosystem must be developed to support a substantially larger nuclear fleet.
Private Investment Could Become a Major Funding Source
Private-sector participation is expected to be an important part of India’s nuclear expansion.
In separate remarks reported on October 11, 2026, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman A.K. Mohanty said private-sector participation could contribute around 30 GW to the 100 GW target by 2047, with approximately ₹7.5 lakh crore in private investment expected.
These figures represent a separate estimate of the potential private-sector contribution. They should not be added mechanically to the CEA chairperson’s ₹15 lakh crore figure because the estimates may reflect different assumptions about project costs and financing.
The government’s published roadmap also envisages contributions from public-sector enterprises, state governments and joint ventures. The eventual funding structure will depend on how projects are allocated and how risks and returns are shared.
Private companies could bring capital, industrial expertise and additional project-development capacity. Businesses involved in engineering, equipment manufacturing, construction, financing and power supply may find opportunities as the programme expands.
However, nuclear projects differ from many other power investments. They require strict safety oversight, specialised technical capabilities and substantial capital committed over long periods. Investors must also account for construction risks and the time between initial spending and revenue generation.
The availability of private capital will therefore depend on whether projects offer sufficiently clear regulatory arrangements, financing structures and commercial returns.
The SHANTI Act and Changes to Nuclear Participation
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, is part of the policy framework associated with the country’s nuclear expansion plans.
The legislation is intended to enable wider participation in nuclear energy and support the government’s capacity target. The policy shift could create additional opportunities for private companies and joint ventures, subject to the applicable legal, licensing and safety requirements.
Opening the sector to additional participants does not remove the need for strict nuclear regulation. Reactor design, construction, operation, fuel management and safety remain highly specialised activities requiring oversight.
The commercial framework will also matter. Developers need clarity on who finances construction, who owns and operates plants, how liability is allocated, how electricity tariffs are determined and how power is purchased.
These arrangements can influence whether projects secure financing and reach construction. Policy changes can create an opening for investment, but actual spending will depend on individual projects becoming financially and technically viable.
Why Nuclear Power Matters for India’s Electricity System
India’s electricity demand is expected to increase as households, industry, transport and digital infrastructure consume more power. Manufacturing facilities, electric mobility and energy-intensive data centres can add to the requirement for reliable electricity.
Renewable energy is expected to remain a major source of new generation capacity. However, solar and wind output varies with weather and time of day. Batteries, pumped-storage hydropower, transmission upgrades and other flexible resources can help manage that variability.
Nuclear power offers a different generation profile. A nuclear plant can provide sustained output over long periods, helping supply electricity when solar generation is unavailable or wind conditions are weak.
Nuclear generation also has low operational carbon emissions. The Department of Atomic Energy has identified it as a source of low-carbon baseload power that could support India’s long-term energy-security and climate objectives.
Nevertheless, nuclear power is not a substitute for every other technology. Its high initial capital costs, long construction timelines and specialised operating requirements mean it must be planned alongside renewables, storage, transmission and other generation sources.
The most useful measure of progress will be how reliably new capacity is delivered and how competitively it supplies electricity, rather than capacity targets alone.
Key Challenges That Could Slow Expansion
India’s 100 GW target faces several practical challenges.
1. Long construction timelines
Nuclear projects can take many years to move from planning to commercial operation. Delays in site preparation, licensing, equipment delivery or construction can increase costs and postpone electricity generation.
2. Financing and cost overruns
Large projects require capital for extended periods before generating revenue. Higher borrowing costs, construction delays and unexpected expenses can affect project economics.
3. Electricity tariffs and commercial viability
Nuclear power has high upfront costs, even though its variable operating costs can be comparatively low. Developers and electricity buyers need a tariff and procurement framework that supports project financing while keeping power affordable.
4. Domestic manufacturing and skilled workers
Expanding nuclear capacity will require more specialised equipment, qualified suppliers and trained personnel. Building this capability at scale will be important to avoid supply bottlenecks.
5. Regulation, safety and public confidence
Nuclear facilities must meet stringent safety standards throughout their operating lives. Effective regulation, transparent oversight, emergency planning and waste management will be essential to public confidence.
6. Transmission and power procurement
New plants must be connected to the electricity grid, and their output needs buyers under workable long-term arrangements. Grid readiness and power-purchase agreements will influence the commercial viability of projects.
The Bigger Picture
India’s nuclear expansion plan reflects a broader effort to prepare the electricity system for rising demand while diversifying the generation mix. A target of 100 GW by 2047 would represent a major increase from today’s installed capacity, creating potential opportunities across power generation, engineering, equipment manufacturing and infrastructure.
The ₹15 lakh crore estimate also demonstrates that the programme will require a financing and execution framework capable of supporting long-duration projects. Private participation may widen the pool of capital and expertise, but it will not eliminate construction, cost or regulatory risks. Progress will depend on converting policy ambitions into approved, financed and operational projects.
Looking Ahead
The next milestones will include progress on projects already under implementation, the development of additional sites, the evolution of private-sector participation and clearer commercial arrangements for new nuclear plants. Capacity additions expected by 2031–32 will provide an early indication of whether India is on track to build a larger nuclear fleet. The longer-term target will require a sustained pipeline of projects and coordination between government agencies, utilities, equipment suppliers, financiers and regulators.
For businesses and investors, the expansion could create opportunities in specialised manufacturing, engineering, construction and power infrastructure. However, the investment requirement should be viewed as a long-term estimate rather than immediate spending or guaranteed business revenue. The pace of actual investment will depend on project approvals, financing, technology choices and execution over the coming two decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much investment does India need for nuclear power by 2047?
CEA Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad said India will require approximately ₹15 lakh crore to add 91 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.
2. What is India’s nuclear power capacity target?
India aims to reach 100 GW of installed nuclear power capacity by 2047 under the Nuclear Energy Mission.
3. How much nuclear capacity does India currently have?
Government figures put installed capacity at approximately 8.78 GW, excluding the 100 MW Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Unit 1.
4. What is the expected private-sector role in nuclear power?
Atomic Energy Commission Chairman A.K. Mohanty said private-sector participation could contribute around 30 GW and attract approximately ₹7.5 lakh crore in investment by 2047. These are separate estimates of the potential private-sector contribution.
5. Why is nuclear power important for India?
Nuclear plants can provide sustained electricity with low operational carbon emissions. They can complement solar and wind power, which vary with weather and time of day.
6. What are the main obstacles to India’s nuclear expansion?
Key challenges include high upfront capital costs, long construction timelines, regulatory and safety requirements, specialised manufacturing, financing and electricity tariff arrangements.
7. Will the entire ₹15 lakh crore be invested immediately?
No. The figure is an estimate for a programme extending to 2047. Actual investment will occur over time as projects are approved, financed and built.
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