NTPC plans to spend ₹5.27L cr on 30 GW of nuclear power

STATE-RUN POWER COMPANY NTPC is looking to build 30 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity over the next two decades, three times more than expected, at a cost of ₹527,000 crore, three sources said.

- SARITA CHAGANTI SINGH & KRISHNAN DAS

The country's top power producer, which mainly runs coal-fired plants, is seeking land for its ambitious plan in a country where local resistance to such projects is high, the sources stated. NTPC was targeting 10 GW of nuclear capacity but tripled the goal after the government this month announced plans to open up the sector to foreign and private investment, the sources said.

"NTPC plans to lead India's nuclear power plan just as it did in the thermal sector," one of the sources said. "The identified sites are promising and hold potential for large capacity addition." An NTPC spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. India has committed to setting up 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity generation capacity by 2030 and wants to have at least 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.