India's Nuclear Power Sector Opening to Private Investment: PM Modi Announces Major Energy Policy Shift

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that India's strictly regulated nuclear power sector will soon welcome private participants, a strategic move aimed at strengthening the country's energy security.

The announcement came during a ceremony to inaugurate Skyroot Aerospace's Infinity campus in Hyderabad, where PM Modi addressed attendees via video conferencing.

"We are progressing toward opening the nuclear sector. We are establishing a foundation for significant private sector involvement in this domain as well," stated the Prime Minister during his address.

The government has established an ambitious target of generating 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047, representing more than a tenfold increase from the current capacity of 8.8 GW.

"This initiative will create opportunities in small modular reactors, advanced reactor technologies, and nuclear innovation. This reform will substantially enhance our energy security and technological leadership," PM Modi explained.

The government has scheduled The Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 for introduction during the Winter session of Parliament commencing December 1.

This legislation aims to facilitate private sector participation in the nuclear power industry.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the General Budget earlier in February, had also disclosed plans to amend the nuclear liability law.

Currently, the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 prohibits participation from private entities and state governments in the nuclear sector.

Under this existing legislation, the authority to operate nuclear power plants is exclusively granted to the central government and organizations or corporations it establishes.