India has taken a major step toward its clean energy transition, with the foundation stone of the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) scheduled to be laid on September 25 in Banswara district, Rajasthan. The project is part of the nation’s ambitious plan to expand its nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047, aligning with long-term energy security and sustainability goals.
The ₹42,000 crore investment will establish four 700 MW units, powered by indigenously developed Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). The facility will be developed by Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI), a joint venture between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and NTPC Limited.
Officials said the state-of-the-art plant will not only enhance India’s energy independence but also create thousands of direct and indirect jobs while spurring socio-economic development in the Banswara region through improved infrastructure.
Currently, India operates with 8.8 GW of installed nuclear power capacity, a figure the government aims to raise more than tenfold in the next two decades. Nuclear power has emerged as a key pillar in the country’s energy strategy due to its low carbon footprint and reliability in providing baseload electricity.
The Union government reaffirmed its support for the sector by allocating ₹20,000 crore in the recent Union Budget. According to officials, the first unit of the MBRAPP is expected to be commissioned by 2031.
With this landmark project, India seeks to strike a balance between meeting rising energy demand and reducing carbon emissions, further positioning nuclear energy as a cornerstone of its clean energy future.
