NTPC is in discussions with global nuclear technology leaders EDF (France), Rosatom (Russia), and Westinghouse Electric Corporation (US) to build small modular reactors (SMRs) in India.
These factory-built reactors, with capacities of up to 300 MW, are being planned for locations unsuitable for larger nuclear plants and will support India’s target of achieving 20 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2030, up from the current 7.48 GW.
Aligned with India’s broader goal of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, NTPC is also collaborating with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to develop indigenous SMR technologies.
NTPC plans to invest Rs 1.5 trillion to establish 10 GW of nuclear capacity within the next decade and has sought government approval to form a nuclear power subsidiary.
International collaborations are advancing as Rosatom continues work on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, EDF leads the Jaitapur project in Maharashtra, and Westinghouse partners with NPCIL on six reactors. NTPC’s joint venture with NPCIL, Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam, is moving forward with the Mahi Banswara Atomic Power Project in Rajasthan, a 4×700 MW initiative requiring Rs 50,400 crore.
The Union government has allocated Rs one trillion in the interim FY25 Budget for SMR research and development. During a US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce meeting in August, Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted India’s commitment to partnerships, regulatory innovations, and funding for SMRs.