NTPC may invest Rs 4 lakh crore in nuclear power over two decades

India's largest power producer, NTPC Ltd, may invest Rs 3-4 lakh crore to add nuclear power capacity of around 20 GW over the next 23 years.

While the first nuclear project of the state-owned company is proposed to be jointly developed with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), it plans to go solo thereafter, a person in the know said.

The company is looking for a sizeable chunk of the clean energy portfolio by 2047, aligning with the government's Viksit Bharat (developed India) timeline, according to the person.


The government recently said that India is aiming to have 100 GW of installed nuclear power capacity by 2047.

The current plan with NPCIL for the 2,800 MW Mahi Banswara project in Rajasthan could start groundwork by the end of this financial year, the person said. The estimated investment in the projects is ₹45,000-50,000 crore.

A proposal for transfer of nuclear units to a joint venture from parent NPCIL is likely to be put up for approval soon, the person said.

The government has approved the joint venture between NPCIL and NTPC, Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd, with the former having a 51% stake in it.

An NTPC official had earlier said that the company would not be involved anymore in the 1,400 MW Chutka Madhya Pradesh Atomic Power Project, which was also to be jointly developed with NPCIL.

Green ambitions
The company's targeted 60 GW renewable energy capacity by 2032 is being driven by its newly listed arm NTPC Green Energy Ltd. The target may be well achieved by 2030, the person said, adding the investment for the target for solar and wind projects capacity would be around Rs 3.25 lakh crore. The overall capital expenditure for its green projects till 2029-30 would be around Rs 5 lakh crore.

Of the 60 GW, 19 GW of renewable energy capacity is likely to be in place by 2026-27, at an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore, the person said.

The company is also betting on green hydrogen, methanol, ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel.