India’s largest power generator, state-run power producer NTPC (formerly National Thermal Power Corporation), is investigating at least 30 locations across India for NPP construction to expand its clean energy portfolio. The sites are spread across five or six states, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Odisha.
NTPC, in view of the national goal to reach 100 GWe of nuclear power capacity by 2047, wants to install 30% of that target. The company hopes to firm up a selection by the middle of this year. The sites will require a swathe of regulatory clearances before construction can begin. New plants should be at least 1 kilometre away from residential settlements, be located in a low seismic zone and be close to a water source.
India’s new SHANTI nuclear law has eased suppliers’ concerns over the liability regime that had deterred global investors, including General Electric, Electricité de France and Westinghouse Electric.
As India opens up its market to foreign participants, NTPC has been discussing technical details with potential suppliers. The company has reportedly signed non-disclosure agreements with EDF and Russia’s Rosatom and may also engage with US and South Korea.
NTPC and its ventures have an installed capacity of 85.6 GW nearly 84% of which is run on coal and natural gas. It’s now adding clean power capacity, including hydropower, renewables and nuclear, to reduce the concentration of fossil fuels in its portfolio.
India is taking bold steps to expand its nuclear energy capacity, aiming to secure a stable, low-carbon power supply for the future. As per reports, India’s largest power producer, NTPC, recently signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom and France’s Electricité de France (EDF) to explore collaborations on large-scale Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) projects.
The NDAs are intended to cover the full lifecycle of nuclear projects from design and construction to operation and maintenance while also prioritising domestic technology development and manufacturing. Analysts see NTPC’s engagement with Rosatom and EDF as a clear signal that India plans to accelerate nuclear growth through international partnerships.
Rosatom and EDF are global leaders in PWR technology, with proven track records in large-scale nuclear projects. By combining their expertise with NTPC’s local execution capabilities, India hopes to create a model that maximises local value and strengthens domestic nuclear know-how. While the NDAs are non-binding, they set the stage for detailed technical and commercial evaluations, including the potential localization of key components and training of Indian engineers.
