Adani plans nuclear power foray

Aims to build eight 200-MW small modular reactors

- PR SANJAI

GAUTAM ADANI'S CONGLOMERATE is in talks with officials in the Uttar Pradesh government to build a commercial nuclear energy project, giving the billionaire a head start in a sector India is opening up to private firms, people aware of the development said.

The Adani Group has been in discussions with the state government ito build eight 200-megawatt small modular reactors, or SMRs, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are private. The plan, part of efforts by Asia's second-richest man to broaden his renewable portfolio, would give the conglomerate about 1,600 MW of nuclear capacity.

The state government has yet to identify a riverside site, which is needed to ensure a steady water supply for the reactors, the people said.