US' Holtec eyes tie-ups with NTPC, Vedanta to build nuclear reactors

New Delhi: US-based Holtec International is looking to build a 15 GW pipeline of small modular reactor (SMR) projects in India, people aware of the development said.

It is in advanced discussions with NTPC Ltd and is also in talks with the Vedanta Group and other companies for partnerships to deploy its SMR-300 technology, they said.

Discussions with NTPC are centred on creating a fleet-development platform for deploying Holtec's SMR-300 reactors in India, with the state-run power producer as the anchor utility partner, one of the people said.


Holtec is in similar discussions with other companies such as the Vedanta Group for SMR-300 deployment for captive and industrial use, the person said.

Holtec, NTPC and Vedanta did not respond to ET's emailed queries until press time.

The proposed joint venture would identify project sites, standardise the deployment model, engage with Indian regulators and government agencies, structure projects and create a repeatable platform to deploy up to 10 GW of SMR-300 capacity over time, subject to regulatory approvals and definitive agreements, one of the people said.

Interest from global nuclear energy companies has increased since India enacted the SHANTI Act, 2025. The law, passed in December 2025, allows private sector participation in nuclear power generation, limits suppliers' liability and aims to help India achieve 100 GW of installed nuclear capacity by 2047.

Last year, Holtec signed an agreement with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the global deployment of its SMR-300 reactors. L&T will support execution, heavy engineering, nuclear-grade fabrication, balance-of-plant systems, heat-transfer equipment, modular manufacturing, construction and potentially export supplies.

L&T is also among the Indian companies covered under Holtec's 10 CFR Part 810 authorisation, a licence issued by the US Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Holtec plans to progressively localise the SMR-300 supply chain in India, one of the people said.

While the core SMR-300 design and proprietary technology will remain with Holtec, initial nuclear-grade and safety-critical equipment will be sourced through its existing supply chain.