With a goal of 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047, India is investing heavily in nuclear energy to reduce fossil fuel reliance and combat climate change.
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| India pledges over $2 billion to expand nuclear power capacity by 2047, aiming to reduce emissions and boost energy production while addressing public concerns. Image: ChicHue |
Delhi, India — February 12, 2025:
India has pledged over $2 billion to expand its nuclear power capacity as part of a broader strategy to increase electricity generation and reduce emissions. This commitment, announced earlier this month by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, aims to accelerate the country’s shift toward cleaner energy sources. By 2047, India plans to install 100 gigawatts of nuclear power, sufficient to power nearly 60 million homes annually.
India is one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, with over 75% of its electricity still coming from fossil fuels, primarily coal. Nuclear power is seen as a crucial part of India’s energy mix, offering a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels, although it does raise concerns about radioactive waste. Energy experts argue that nuclear energy, along with renewables like wind and solar, is essential to moving away from carbon-polluting sources.
The push for nuclear expansion faces challenges, including public skepticism and local opposition to nuclear plant sites, as seen with protests in Kudankulam and Maharashtra. Despite these concerns, some experts see opportunities for collaboration with the U.S., whose advanced nuclear technology could help accelerate India’s growth in this sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet President Trump this Wednesday to discuss nuclear power, among other issues. As India looks to grow its nuclear capacity, the country is also investing in small modular reactors, which are cheaper and faster to build, though they generate less power.
Despite the challenges, interest in nuclear power is at its highest in decades, with 63 reactors under construction worldwide. However, experts like Madhura Joshi from E3G stress that solar and other renewable energy sources should not be overlooked, as they provide quicker, scalable solutions to meet India's urgent energy needs.