India Nuclear Energy Forum Concludes At IIT Bombay; Focus On 100 GWe Target By 2047

The India Nuclear Energy Forum 2026, recently concluded at IIT Bombay, underscored a national imperative: catapulting India's nuclear power capacity to an ambitious 100 GWe by 2047. This aggressive target, a tenfold increase from current levels, is central to the nation's energy security and decarbonization strategy, aligning with its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. The forum, attended by 350 participants from seven countries, specifically addressed the accelerated deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), robust fuel supply mechanisms, and enhanced industry-academia collaboration to realize this vision. Driving this monumental push is India's recently enacted SHANTI Act, 2025, which liberalizes the historically state-controlled nuclear sector by enabling limited private sector participation and earmarking significant federal funds through the Nuclear Energy Mission for SMR research and development. This legislative shift aims to unlock crucial investment and technological expertise, bridging the current gap of nearly 90 GWe. Major players like the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) are now strategizing not only for large-scale Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) but also for indigenous SMR designs like the 200 MWe Bharat SMR (BSMR) and 55 MWe SMR, with at least five such units targeted for operation by 2033. The path forward demands an accelerated roadmap, including streamlining regulatory approvals, securing long-term fuel supply through diversified imports and leveraging thorium reserves, and fostering a skilled workforce. The engagement of private capital and global technology partners, alongside a focus on integrating nuclear power with existing and retiring thermal sites, will be critical. As India marches towards its 'Viksit Bharat' vision for 2047, the effectiveness of these legislative and strategic shifts in translating ambition into operational capacity will be closely watched, setting a precedent for other emerging economies balancing rapid development with climate goals.