India Sees Nuclear Energy as Part of Its Energy Portfolio Diversification

In mid-2025, India achieved a landmark in its energy transition, reaching 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources, more than five years ahead of the target set in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

The impact of this achievement on India’s long-term energy transition roadmap is crucial to combating climate change, with energy security, affordability, and accessibility as inalienable priorities to ensure growth and development as the economy transitions to net-zero by 2070.

As of 31st October 2025, the country’s total installed generation capacity has reached 5,05,023 MW (5.05 GW), comprising 2,45,600 MW from fossil-fuel sources and 2,59,423 MW from non-fossil-fuel sources (including 2,50,643 MW from renewable energy sources).

As India’s energy needs expand, it is taking significant steps to diversify its energy portfolio through clean, safe sources, including nuclear energy, which are vital to its clean energy transition.

Nuclear energy is a clean and environmentally benign source of base-load power. The lifecycle emissions of nuclear power are comparable to those of renewable energy sources such as hydropower and wind. 

Currently, nuclear energy in India accounts for 1.74% of the energy mix (8.78 GW), while renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, and others) account for 49.6%.

Installed Generation Capacity of the country as on 31st October 2025:

The Government of India has set an ambitious target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and has taken a series of steps to achieve it.

A dedicated Nuclear Energy Mission with an allocation of ₹20,000 crore has been launched to develop at least five indigenously designed Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033 and promote advanced nuclear technologies.

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, has been introduced in Parliament to enable the full harnessing of India’s nuclear energy based on indigenous resources, through active involvement of both the public and private sectors. 

Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) of 220 MW capacity, based on India’s proven Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology, are being upgraded for deployment in industrial hubs to support decarbonisation. BARC is also developing Small Modular Reactors for repurposing retiring coal stations and for remote-area applications.

India’s fuel security is being enhanced by new uranium discoveries, including a significant discovery that would extend the life of the Jaduguda mine by more than 50 years. Progress in the closed fuel cycle, including milestones achieved in the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, will further support a sustainable fuel supply.

To accelerate capacity addition, government-owned entities NPCIL and NTPC have formed a joint venture, ASHVINI, to develop nuclear power plants within the existing legal framework.

Furthermore, India is actively pursuing the Green Hydrogen Mission, which would significantly advance the country’s decarbonization efforts and create employment and economic development opportunities. The Mission targets establishing at least 5 MMT of green hydrogen capacity per annum by 2030.  

To support renewable energy integration and grid stability, India’s Ministry of Power has also introduced a policy to promote Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs). At present, 10 Pumped Storage Projects totalling 11,870 MW are under construction in the country.