India Pushes Clean Energy Frontier With ₹42,000 Crore Nuclear Power Plant Planned In Rajasthan

India is accelerating its clean energy transition with a bold plan to scale up nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047. As part of this vision, the foundation stone for a major nuclear power project will be laid on September 25 in Banswara district, Rajasthan, marking an important step in strengthening the country’s energy security and advancing its sustainability goals. The Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP), with a planned capacity of four units of 700 MW each, represents a total investment of approximately ₹42,000 crore.

The project will be developed by ASHVINI (Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited), a joint venture between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and NTPC Limited. The facility will use indigenously designed 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), showcasing India’s self-reliance in nuclear technology. The project is expected to make a significant contribution to the country’s energy security while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs. It will also stimulate socio-economic development in the Banswara region by improving local infrastructure and providing new economic opportunities.

India currently has 8.8 GW of installed nuclear power capacity and aims to increase this to 100 GW by 2047. This ambitious goal underlines the country’s commitment to clean, reliable, and sustainable energy, with nuclear power positioned as a key pillar in its long-term energy strategy. To support the expansion of the nuclear sector, the government allocated around ₹20,000 crore in the latest Union Budget. Nuclear power is particularly valued for its low carbon emissions and its ability to provide stable baseload electricity, making it a crucial component of India’s energy mix. The first unit of the Mahi Banswara project is expected to be commissioned by 2031, marking a major milestone in India’s efforts to build a secure and sustainable energy future.