State-owned NTPC Ltd has proposed taking over the remaining six nuclear reactors envisaged under the 2014 India-Russia agreement with Rosatom, marking a major step in its long-term nuclear power expansion strategy.

The proposal involves six VVER-1000 reactors, each with a capacity of 1,000 MW, which would collectively add 6,000 MW of nuclear generation capacity to India's electricity network.

The project is estimated to require an investment of around ₹1.5 lakh crore, translating to approximately ₹25 crore per MW. If approved, it would rank among the most significant nuclear infrastructure investments undertaken in the country.

The reactors form part of the 2014 bilateral agreement between India and Russia to develop 12 nuclear power units. Under the arrangement, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), in partnership with Rosatom, has been leading work at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.

Of the 12 planned reactors, two units are already operational at Kudankulam, while four more remain under construction. The final six units have yet to progress beyond the planning stage.

NTPC has proposed that the Union Government allocate these remaining six reactors directly to the company under the existing government-to-government framework with Russia. The move would allow NTPC to establish a much larger presence in the nuclear energy sector while leveraging an already established international partnership.

The initiative aligns with NTPC's broader ambition to build up to 30 GW of nuclear generation capacity by 2047 as India seeks to expand reliable low-carbon baseload power generation alongside renewable energy sources.

As part of its wider nuclear program, NTPC has also explored technical and financial cooperation with France's EDF. The company is pursuing nuclear projects through its joint venture, Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd (ASHVINI), including the Mahi Banswara Atomic Power Project in Rajasthan.

The proposal reflects India's growing focus on nuclear power as a key component of its clean energy transition. With electricity demand expected to rise substantially over the coming decades, nuclear generation is increasingly being viewed as a dependable complement to solar and wind power, providing round-the-clock low-emission electricity.

If the plan receives the necessary approvals, the six proposed reactors would significantly strengthen NTPC's clean energy portfolio while advancing India's long-term energy security and decarbonisation objectives.

Agencies