India's Nuclear Ambition: Beware Single-Supplier Risks

Gurdeep Singh, Chairman of NTPC, has advised India to exercise caution regarding its 100 GW nuclear power expansion, warning against over-dependence on any single country or supplier for nuclear technology.

Singh emphasized the strategic importance of securing control over technology and resources, even if domestic options incur a 5-10% higher cost initially. This approach is crucial for navigating current global supply chain challenges.

During a workshop on India's nuclear roadmap, Singh urged stakeholders to move swiftly from policy intent to the concrete formulation of rules and guidelines. He highlighted that clear implementation is essential for translating policy into tangible investments, according to the workshop's released minutes.

NTPC has set a goal to develop 30 GW of nuclear capacity by the year 2047. To achieve this, the company is identifying suitable locations across 14 states and intends to focus on large capacity reactor sets rather than Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for its large-scale projects.

The SHANTI Act, enacted recently, replaces older legislation that had hindered the civil nuclear sector. This new law now permits private companies and joint ventures to construct, own, operate, and decommission nuclear power plants under government licensing.

As of March 31, 2026, NTPC, India's largest power generator, held a significant share of the nation's energy production, with an installed group-level capacity of 89,805.30 MW across various sources.