India: energy strategy by 2047 aims for 100 gigawatts of nuclear power.

The Ministry of Energy of India has published the draft National Electricity Policy NEP 2026, which envisions a radical transformation of the energy sector. The new strategy directly relies on the recently enacted SHANTI law and budgetary targets, placing nuclear energy at the very center of the country's long-term energy security

The new NEP 2026 (National Electricity Policy 2026) replaces the old policy from 2005 and foresees a noticeable rise in consumption in the future: an increase in electricity consumption per capita from the current 1,460 kilowatt-hours to 2,000 kilowatt-hours by 2030, and over 4,000 kilowatt-hours by 2047. Because of this significant projection, the plan foresees increasing nuclear capacities to 100 gigawatts by 2047, but also reducing carbon emission intensity by 45% by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels) and then achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

The key change comes through the SHANTI Act (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India), adopted in December 2025. This act opens the Indian nuclear sector to private companies for the first time, enabling their participation in the management of power plants and electricity generation, production of equipment and nuclear fuel, and development of domestic small reactors named “Bharat Small Reactors.”

This design represents one of the most interesting projects we strategically monitor as a media outlet, so let's clarify: this is a project that arises to fit into India's future energy development strategy. Specifically, the strategy envisions a so-called “fleet” (fleet-mode) implementation (i.e., serial construction and serial installation) to reduce costs and standardize reactor size. And in particular, there is emphasis on the plan for re-engineering (repurposing) coal-fired power plants, where old coal-fired plant locations, wherever feasible, would be converted into nuclear parks, i.e., where new steam supply systems would be built (Steam Supply Systems), this time with nuclear reactors instead of coal or other fossil fuel combustion systems.

But enormous investments are required: India estimates that for the expansion of production, transmission and distribution by 2047, it will need an incredible 2.2 trillion dollars. Owing to the high upfront investment costs, the government plans to use green bonds and establish special funds for climate finance.

And we also add that as part of this “energy offensive,” NTPC (the largest Indian energy company) has officially joined the World Nuclear Association (WNA), signaling readiness for global cooperation.