Nuclear Energy in India
Nuclear power is a highly crucial component of India’s strategy to achieve clean, reliable, and sustainable energy. Currently, India operates the sixth-largest nuclear reactor fleet in the world.
Despite having a large number of reactors, nuclear power generation has grown at a pace similar to the country’s overall electricity demand. Therefore, its share in the national grid has consistently remained at about 3%. Specifically, in the year 2024-25, the nuclear share in total electricity generation was about 3.1%.
As of today, the present installed nuclear power capacity is 8.78 GW (8780 MW) (excluding the RAPS-1, 100 MW reactor)
Development of Nuclear Energy in India
India started its nuclear programme soon after independence.
Important stages in the development include:
- 1948 – Establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).
- 1954 – Creation of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
- 1969 – Commissioning of India’s first nuclear power plant at Tarapur in Maharashtra.
- Development of indigenous nuclear technology under the leadership of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, known as the Father of India’s Nuclear Programme.
India developed its nuclear programme mainly to achieve energy security and promote peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
Major Nuclear Power Plants in India
- Presently, India has 22 operating reactors, with an installed capacity of 6780 MWe. Among these eighteen reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and four are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
- The oldest nuclear facility in India is the Tarapur Nuclear Reactor in Maharashtra, which started commercial operations in 1969. The largest Nuclear Power Plant in India is the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu.
Nuclear Power Plant | State |
Tarapur Atomic Power Station | Maharashtra |
Rawatbhata (Rajasthan Atomic Power Station) | Rajasthan |
Kalpakkam (Madras Atomic Power Station) | Tamil Nadu |
Narora Atomic Power Station | Uttar Pradesh |
Kakrapar Atomic Power Station | Gujarat |
Kaiga Generating Station | Karnataka |
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant | Tamil Nadu |
