India has taken a key step towards opening its nuclear power sector to foreign investment, with the Atomic Energy Commission approving a new foreign direct investment (FDI) framework, according to a Business Standard report.
The proposal is now headed for inter-ministerial consultations, signalling progress under the SHANTI Act, 2025 to expand private participation in nuclear energy.
Speaking at a workshop in New Delhi, Seema S Jain from the Department of Atomic Energy said the policy is part of a broader push to mobilise large-scale financing for nuclear expansion.
"FDI initiatives are in the pipeline. The Atomic Energy Commission has approved the FDI policy, and it is going in for ministerial consultations," she was quoted as saying by Business Standard, highlighting the need for innovative funding mechanisms to support the sector's long-term growth.
India has set a target of scaling nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047, which would require massive investment. Jain indicated that financing needs could run into lakhs of crores, underlining the importance of diversified funding sources.
She also pointed to the advantages of a "fleet mode" approach, where multiple reactors are developed at a single site to speed up approvals and construction timelines.
However, industry response has been cautious so far. Gurdeep Singh of NTPC Limited acknowledged a gap between earlier enthusiasm and current participation levels.
"There was a lot of discussion before the Bill was passed. But after its enactment, the same level of excitement from the private sector is not seen for some reason," he said.
Concerns have also been raised about project viability and timelines. Ghanshyam Prasad of the Central Electricity Authority stressed the need to reduce both tariffs and approval timelines.
"Tariffs for newer plants are in the range of Rs 5.50-6.50 per unit and we will have to take steps to reduce this."
While challenges remain, the policy shift marks a decisive move towards reshaping India's nuclear energy landscape.
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