NTPC will begin feasibility studies for nuclear power projects in more Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, as the state-owned power producer works towards a planned 30 GW nuclear portfolio by 2047 and supports the government’s broader target of 100 GW of nuclear capacity.
A senior NTPC official told PTI that the company has completed feasibility studies in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha and will now identify potential locations in additional states. Banka in Bihar, Basai in Madhya Pradesh and Nabarangpur in Odisha have been listed as possible sites following the completed studies.
“More states will be explored as the vision is 30 GW nuclear capacity by 2047. Of course, Uttar Pradesh is on our list along with more states. We will conduct feasibility studies soon,” the official said.
NTPC’s immediate objective is to expand its non-fossil fuel energy capacity to at least 2 GW by 2032. Its longer-term plan is based on projects with an average capacity of 1,400 MW, comprising two units of 700 MW each. The proposed expansion would make nuclear power a larger part of the company’s diversification from its traditional dependence on thermal generation.
The feasibility process involves multiple layers of technical and regulatory review. Once a study is completed, the proposal is submitted to the Department of Atomic Energy. The Standing Site Selection Committee then examines the location. If the site is considered technically feasible, the proposal moves to the Atomic Energy Commission for further processing.
The process also requires substantial land and water resources. The report said a nuclear project typically requires a one-square-kilometre exclusion zone, while continuous water supply is a key operating requirement. It cited industry estimates that setting up 1 GW of nuclear capacity could require an investment of ₹15,000-20,000 crore and at least three years from the concept stage to commissioning. The report also said five litres of water is needed to produce one unit of nuclear power.
Technology partnerships will be another part of NTPC’s proposed expansion. The company is exploring possible collaborations with US-based Westinghouse, Russia’s Rosatom and France’s EDF for large pressurised water reactor projects in India, according to the official.
The scale of the national target indicates the financial challenge involved. The Central Electricity Authority has estimated that around ₹15 lakh crore would be needed to increase India’s nuclear capacity to 100 GW. The country currently has 8.8 GW of nuclear capacity, meaning the target would require an addition of about 91 GW.
NTPC has more than 91,000 MW of installed capacity and supplies about one-fourth of India’s electricity demand, according to the report. Its generation portfolio includes coal, gas and liquid fuel, hydropower and solar energy. The next steps for the nuclear programme will be the completion of additional site studies and their submission for review by the atomic energy authorities.
