India is set to issue its largest-ever nuclear island engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) tender for its indigenous pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) programme.
According to a Facebook post by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI), a subsidiary of NPCIL and a joint venture between NPCIL and NTPC Limited, will release the tender. It will invite bids for the Nuclear Island Mega EPC Package (NIMEP) for the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) comprising four 700 MWe reactors (units 1-4).
“The comprehensive package covers engineering, manufacturing, supply, civil construction, installation, testing and commissioning assistance of critical nuclear island systems for four PHWR units of 700 MWe capacity each”, NPCIL said. The package, estimated at more than INR280bn ($2.9bn), is the largest NIMEP ever floated for India’s indigenous PHWR programme.
“The project marks another significant milestone in strengthening India’s indigenous nuclear manufacturing ecosystem, promoting advanced engineering capabilities, and accelerating the country’s clean energy transition. It also presents substantial opportunities for Indian industry to participate in one of the nation’s largest nuclear infrastructure initiatives,” NPCIL noted. “The tender reflects the shared commitment towards delivering reliable, low-carbon baseload electricity in support of India’s long-term energy security and the national vision of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.”
India’s installed nuclear power capacity currently stands at 8.78 GWe. Nuclear energy has consistently contributed around 3% of India’s total electricity generation, with its share standing at 3.1% in 2024-25. According to the government, India’s nuclear capacity is expected to triple in the coming years. With indigenous 700 MWe reactors and 1,000 MWe reactors being developed through cooperation with Rosatom, the country’s installed nuclear capacity is projected to reach 22.38 GWe by 2031-32.
