Powering the Future: Khattar & Singh Spark Talks on 100 GW Nuclear Mission

In a pivotal step towards India’s clean energy future, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Minister of State for Atomic Energy Dr. Jitendra Singh jointly convened a high-level meeting on August 8, 2025, at Parliament House, New Delhi. The meeting focused on advancing the ambitious Nuclear Energy Mission targeting 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power by 2047, reinforcing India’s commitment to diversify its energy basket and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

 

Key Highlights: Meeting Objectives and Roadmap Review

 

The meeting reviewed the comprehensive roadmap aimed at increasing India’s nuclear power capacity from the current 8.8 GW to 22 GW by 2032. This includes adding 14 GW from ongoing and upcoming projects, demonstrating significant acceleration in nuclear capacity building.

 

Strong emphasis was placed on public-private collaboration to scale up nuclear infrastructure, with the government marking a historic policy shift to open the nuclear sector for private participation.

 

The Bharat Small Modular Reactor (SMR) program has seen a vibrant response from industry players, leading to an extension of the Request for Proposal (RFP) submission deadline to September 30, 2025, encouraging further participation.

 

The ministers stressed streamlined regulatory processes, including standardizing documentation, synchronizing licensing, and optimizing approval timelines to speed up project execution.

 

Strategic Vision and Technological Innovation

 

Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the nuclear mission as a critical pillar of India’s energy security paradigm, integrating advanced technologies like Small Modular Reactors designed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). These include:

 

A 200 MWe Bharat SMR tailored for modular deployment,

 

A 55 MWe compact SMR,

 

A 5 MWt High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor for hydrogen production aimed at decarbonizing transport sectors.

 

These innovations demonstrate India’s commitment to combining large-scale traditional reactors with flexible, innovative nuclear solutions apt for greenfield, brownfield, captive, and off-grid applications, including remote areas.

 

Current nuclear capacity includes 24 reactors producing about 8,780 MW, with several projects underway including the 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor by BHAVINI, paving the way to enhanced self-reliance and energy sustainability.

 

Policy and Institutional Support

 

The meeting included senior officials such as Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), and top executives from NTPC and NPCIL, emphasizing coordinated governance.

 

Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar highlighted the importance of adhering to strict timelines and expediting capacity additions to meet the country’s energy needs.

 

Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated government commitment to creating awareness and providing handholding support to private sector players entering the nuclear arena, which many found surprisingly welcoming given the historic exclusivity of the sector.

 

Measures to enhance technical capacity building, regulatory reforms, and faster approvals were prioritized to align with project targets and international best practices.

 

Broader Implications and Future Outlook

 

The 100 GW nuclear target aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s larger vision of a sustainable, diversified energy mix underpinning India’s transition to a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.

 

By scaling nuclear power, India aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support industrial decarbonization while providing reliable base-load electricity.

 

The mission includes utilizing domestic uranium reserves efficiently—India possesses vast in-situ uranium deposits totaling over 430,000 tons—and leveraging international partnerships for technology exchange and innovation.

 

Transformation of retiring fossil fuel plants through captive nuclear power units is a strategic feature to ensure cleaner energy solutions for industries.

 

The mission’s success could position India as a global leader in clean nuclear energy innovation and climate action.

 

Conclusion

 

The joint meeting convened by Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward a robust nuclear-powered future. With clear governmental backing, policy reforms opening doors to private investment, and cutting-edge reactor programs underway, India is laying the groundwork for a 100 GW nuclear energy capacity by 2047. This mission not only accelerates India’s clean energy ambitions but also exemplifies strategic innovation and international cooperation essential for a sustainable and energy-secure future.

 

Sources: Press Information Bureau, Economic Times, Nuclear Business Platform