Power Giant NTPC Plans Major Nuclear Expansion; To Add 10 GW in 10 Yrs With Rs. 1.5 Tn Investment

New Delhi, Jun 4 (KNN) India's largest power generator, the state-run NTPC Ltd, is pursuing an ambitious plan to significantly increase its nuclear energy capacity over the next decade, according to statements from the company's leadership.

NTPC's chairman and managing director Gurdeep Singh revealed that the firm is seeking government approval to establish a new wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to nuclear power, reported Mint.

Through this new arm, called NTPC Nuclear Ltd, the company intends to develop 10 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear generation capacity within 10 years - an investment estimated at around Rs 1.5 trillion.

If realised, this large-scale nuclear expansion would more than double India's current installed nuclear capacity of approximately 7 GW.

Singh stated that NTPC is evaluating potential sites in the states of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka, which would require regulatory approval.

In addition to this independent nuclear venture, NTPC already jointly operates projects with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) through an existing joint venture called Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited.

This partnership is developing the 2.8 GW Mahi Banswara plant in Rajasthan and the 1.4 GW Chutka project in Madhya Pradesh, with ground breaking on the Rajasthan site expected within 100 days.

The public sector utility's push into nuclear power aligns with the Indian government's target to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel based generation by 2030, which includes 20 GW from nuclear sources. Nuclear is viewed as a clean energy source that can contribute to emissions reduction goals.

NTPC currently operates 76 GW of capacity across thermal and renewable sources, with thermal making up 87 per cent of its portfolio.

The planned 10 GW nuclear build-out would complement the company's separate aim to reach 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.

The report mentions NTPC is engaging with global firms on small modular reactor (SMR) technologies, which may be deployed through the new nuclear subsidiary in the future.

SMRs are compact, factory-built fission plants with capacities up to 300 megawatts.

(KNN Bureau)