Parallel Push Needed Across Fuel, Financing To Scale Nuclear Energy: HDFC report

Gaps in execution timelines Highlighting execution challenges, the report pointed out that India took over two decades to build its Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, compared to 5-6 years taken by China for a similar reactor. It said closing this gap would require simultaneous progress across key areas. “Closing this gap demands parallel progress on uranium mining, reprocessing throughput, heavy engineering capacity, and financing suited to long-tenor nuclear assets,” the report said. Policy push to support growth The report underscored that nuclear energy is emerging as a strategic pillar in India’s journey towards its net-zero by 2070 goal. It cited recent policy measures such as the SHANTI Act (2025), the Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, and proposed amendments to the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening the legal, financial and institutional framework needed to scale up nuclear capacity. Target of 100 GW by 2047 India aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, which would require commissioning 3.5-4 GW annually, nearly ten times the current pace. Around half of the planned capacity is expected to come from indigenous 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, while the remainder will include imported large reactors, Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR-200), BARC’s SMR-55, and fast breeder reactors developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited. The report concluded that sustained policy support and parallel development across fuel supply, infrastructure, and financing ecosystems will be essential to unlock the full potential of nuclear energy in India’s long-term clean energy strategy. (KNN Bureau)