Nuclear energy in India is in a phase of accelerated growth, supported by ambitious development plans to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
India has set significant goals: reaching an installed capacity of 14,600 MW by 2020 and ensuring that 25% of its electricity comes from nuclear sources by 2050. Although the initial objectives were not fully met, the commitment remains firm with ongoing projects and technological advances.
Full fuel cycle and advanced reactors
India is one of the few countries that dominates the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mining to enrichment, power generation and waste reprocessing.
This approach optimizes the use of scarce uranium, maximizing the energy extracted per watt. In addition, India is developing advanced reactors that take advantage of plutonium and thorium, an abundant resource in the country, through an innovative three-phase nuclear plan.
The 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam near Chennai is an example of this strategy. Designed to generate more fuel than it consumes, this reactor aims to demonstrate the viability of fast breeder reactors, essential for the future of nuclear energy in India.
Nuclear power plants in operation in India
India currently operates a total of 22 nuclear reactors spread across several power plants, with a combined installed capacity of approximately 7,480 MW. This number positions the country as a major player in nuclear power generation, a key source in its efforts to diversify energy supply and meet the growing electricity demand of its vast population.
The operational nuclear power plants in India are detailed below along with their salient features:
| Name of the power plant | Location | Reactor type | Installed capacity (MW) | Year of commencement of operations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarapur 1 and 2 | Maharashtra | BWR | 320 | 1969 |
| Tarapur 3 and 4 | Maharashtra | PHWR | 1080 | 2006 |
| Rajasthan 1 to 6 | Rajasthan | PHWR | 1180 | 1973 - 2010 |
| Madras 1 and 2 (Kalpakkam) | Tamil Nadu | PHWR | 440 | 1984 - 1986 |
| Kakrapar 1 and 2 | Gujarat | PHWR | 440 | 1993 - 1995 |
| Narora 1 and 2 | Uttar Pradesh | PHWR | 440 | 1991 - 1992 |
| Kaiga 1 to 4 | Karnataka | PHWR | 880 | 2000 - 2011 |
| Kudankulam 1 and 2 | Tamil Nadu | PWR | 2000 | 2013 - 2016 |
| Kakrapar-3 | Gujarat | PHWR | 700 | 2023 |
Flagship projects
India has developed flagship nuclear projects that reflect both its energy ambition and the challenges faced in this sector.
On the one hand, the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant , initially planned as the largest in the world, exemplifies the difficulties of large-scale projects. On the other hand, the Kudankulam Power Plant stands out as an example of success thanks to international cooperation with Russia.
Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant
The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant was conceived as an ambitious project to become the largest nuclear plant in the world, with a projected capacity of 9,900 MW through six EPR reactors (European Pressurized Reactors) of 1,650 MW each, designed by the French company AREVA.
Located in the state of Maharashtra, this project promised to position India at the forefront of global nuclear technology and meet a significant portion of the country's growing energy demand.
However, the project faced multiple challenges. In 2010, the first agreements for the construction of two reactors were signed, but problems related to local opposition, environmental concerns and high construction costs delayed its progress.
Moreover, a change in AREVA's business strategy, combined with the obsolescence of the EPR reactor design, led the company to withdraw its participation in similar projects. As a result, the Jaitapur project was left in a state of uncertainty, and is currently considered abandoned.
Kudankulam Central
The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu represents a successful model of international cooperation in nuclear energy. Developed in collaboration with Russia, the plant employs VVER-1000 reactor technology, renowned for its efficiency and high safety standards. To date, two reactors are operational, generating a total of 2,000 MW.
The project also includes significant expansion plans, with units 3 and 4 under construction and a design that further expands generation capacity. These new reactors, also of the VVER type, benefit from the experience gained in the previous phases of the project and are designed to comply with the latest international regulations.
Kudankulam is a key part of India's nuclear programme, both for its generation capacity and its symbolism as a fruitful collaboration between India and Russia in the field of advanced nuclear technology.
Advances in thorium-based reactors
India is leading the research and development of reactors based on thorium, an abundant resource in its territory.
The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) is an innovative design that uses thorium as its primary fuel. This reactor promises long-term energy independence, with projections of supplying the country's energy needs for more than 250 years.
International presence
India is a founding member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and has received recognition for its impeccable non-proliferation record.
Despite not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), India was readmitted to the international nuclear trade in 2008, thanks to a waiver by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the IAEA.
Restrictions and challenges
India's nuclear trade was restricted for more than three decades due to nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998.
Although these restrictions were lifted in 2008, the incompatibility between India's Nuclear Civil Liability Act and international regulations limits the entry of foreign technology.
Projects under construction
India has a number of nuclear reactors at various stages of construction, including:
| Reactor name | Reactor type | Gross power (MW) | Net power (MW) | Expected date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalpakkam PFBR | Fast breeder reactor prototype | 500 | 470 | 2024 |
| Kakrapar-4 | PHWR reactor | 700 | 630 | 2024 |
| Rajasthan-7 | PHWR reactor | 700 | 630 | 2024 |
| Rajasthan-8 | PHWR reactor | 700 | 630 | 2024 |
| Kudankulam-3 | PWR Reactor | 1050 | 917 | 2025 |
| Kudankulam-4 | PWR Reactor | 1050 | 917 | 2026 |
Future projections
India's nuclear programme aims to reach an installed capacity of 63,000 MW by 2032. With a focus on technological self-sufficiency, India is also looking to export small modular reactors of its own design to countries interested in nuclear energy.
In short, nuclear energy in India represents a strategic pillar to meet the country's growing energy demand, reduce carbon emissions and consolidate its position as a world leader in nuclear technology.