India looks to private investment for nuclear power expansion

India's Atomic Energy Commission chief estimated potential private investment at 7.5 trillion rupees. He said private companies could contribute 30 GW toward the country's nuclear expansion target for 2047.

In an interview with PTI published on October 11, Atomic Energy Commission chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty said private companies could contribute 30 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. He estimated potential investment at 7.5 trillion rupees. Those figures describe expected private participation rather than signed investment commitments.

India's overall target is 100 GW by 2047. Department of Atomic Energy figures put existing capacity at 8.78 GW from 24 reactors. The government aims to reach about 22 GW by 2031-32.

State-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, or NPCIL, is expected to reach 54 GW by 2047. Other public-sector companies, state governments and private businesses would provide the remaining 46 GW. Mohanty also highlighted the potential of India's thorium reserves.

India is pursuing a three-stage nuclear programme to use uranium resources and develop thorium-based fuel. The Department of Atomic Energy says thorium must first be converted into fissile uranium-233. Having the resource does not itself provide operational generating capacity.