New Delhi: In a strategic push toward energy transition, India is set to repurpose retiring coal-fired power plants as sites for new nuclear power projects, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad announced during the 6th CII International Energy Conference and Exhibition in New Delhi on Monday.
Prasad revealed that three to four thermal power plant sites have already been identified for nuclear conversion, aligning with India’s ambitious goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, as announced in the Union Budget 2025–26.
Thermal to Nuclear: Reusing Power Infrastructure
“Site selection is going to be a big challenge. To address that, we plan to utilise retiring coal-based power plants as nuclear sites,” said Prasad.
Nuclear site selection in India faces challenges due to stringent safety standards, geological scrutiny, land availability, and proximity to population centres. Repurposing existing thermal power sites allows the government to overcome many of these hurdles, given these sites already have infrastructure like land, grid connectivity, water access, and regulatory clearances in place.
Large Reactors Are Key, Says EDF India
Echoing the need for efficient land use, Dr. Kalirajan S, Managing Director of EDF Nuclear Projects India Ltd., emphasized the importance of large nuclear reactors to achieve the 100 GW target.
“Getting a site for a nuclear reactor in India is difficult. Large reactors will ensure optimum utilisation of scarce sites,” he said.
EDF is a key partner in the upcoming Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, which will have six EPR reactors of 1,650 MW each, generating nearly 10 GW from a single site.
Dr. Kalirajan also noted the need to import technologies and diversify India’s nuclear fleet beyond PHWRs (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors), incorporating EPRs and other advanced international designs.
Fuel Security: India to Accelerate Shift from Uranium to Thorium
On the question of nuclear fuel security, Prasad stressed that India must “very, very quickly” transition from uranium-based reactors to thorium-based reactors, to reduce dependence on imports.
“A program is already underway to switch over to thorium, which holds great promise given our large domestic reserves,” said the CEA Chair.
India possesses one of the world’s largest reserves of thorium, and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has long been working on a three-stage nuclear programme to incorporate thorium as a sustainable, long-term solution.
Cutting Nuclear Build Timelines from 15 to 7 Years
A significant bottleneck in India’s nuclear rollout has been the long gestation period—averaging 13 to 15 years for new projects. Prasad stated that efforts are underway to halve project timelines to 6–7 years, particularly by speeding up regulatory approvals.
“To meet the 100 GW target, the annual run rate must average around 4.2 GW. Cutting the time to build nuclear plants is a top priority for the government,” he added.
The government is also encouraging private sector participation, alongside early efforts led by public sector undertakings (PSUs) like NPCIL.
India’s Nuclear Future: Energy Independence Through Innovation
India’s 100 GW nuclear target for 2047 is central to its net-zero emissions goals, energy security, and economic development strategy. With the global spotlight on clean baseload power and strategic autonomy, nuclear energy is expected to play a pivotal role in complementing solar, wind, and hydro.
