India’s Nuclear Power Generation Reaches All-Time High

India’s nuclear sector witnessed major milestones in FY 2024–25, with record power generation.

Record Nuclear Power Generation

• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) generated 56,681 million units (MUs) of electricity in FY 2024–25, highest in its operational history.
• First time NPCIL crossed 50 Billion Unit annual generation, enhancing India’s clean energy share.
• CO₂ emissions avoided: Around 49 million tonnes.

Nuclear power in India

• Nuclear Share in India’s Electricity Mix: Nuclear power contributes around 3% to India’s total electricity generation.
• Current Nuclear Power Capacity: Present installed nuclear capacity is  8.78 GW.
• Future Expansion Plans: 22.38 GW of Nuclear capacity by 2031–32.
• Long-Term Target: Target is to reach 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.
• FDI Policy in Atomic Energy: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in atomic energy is prohibited under current policy.
• Proposed Policy Reform: Government has proposed amendment to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to allow private sector participation in atomic energy.

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India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme

• Stage 1: Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs):
  • Uses domestically available Uranium-238 with heavy water as moderator.
  • Produces Plutonium-239 needed for Stage 2.
  • Majority of India’s reactors are PHWRs.
• Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs):
  • Uses Pu-239 and depleted uranium to create more fuel than consumed (“breeding”).
  • Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR, 500 MWe) at Kalpakkam is nearing commissioning.
• Stage 3: Thorium-Based Reactors (Advanced Heavy Water Reactors – AHWRs)
  • Uses India’s abundant Thorium reserves.
  • Goal: achieve long-term energy security using thorium fuel cycle.

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