Mr Subrat Ratho argues that India must move beyond policy rigidity and adopt a pragmatic nuclear strategy to secure reliable baseload power for growth, industrialisation and clean energy transition.
Editor’s Note:
This opinion piece comes against the backdrop of a U.S. Industry delegation from the Nuclear Energy Institute and the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum meeting Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss private investment and industry collaboration in India’s nuclear sector.
Mumbai: As a high-level US nuclear delegation visits India, the country faces a pivotal decision: persist with policy rigidity or secure the reliable baseload power essential for sustaining 7–8% annual economic growth. India stands on the cusp of becoming the world’s third-largest economy. Explosive growth in manufacturing, data centres, electric vehicles, AI infrastructure, urbanisation, high-speed rail and desalination will demand massive, uninterrupted electricity supplies. Chronic shortages or unstable grids cannot support these ambitions.
Beyond Renewables: The Need for Nuclear Baseload
India cannot rely solely on solar, wind and incremental coal upgrades to meet its high-growth energy needs. Renewables are vital but intermittent; battery storage remains costly and limited at scale. Hydropower faces geographical and environmental constraints. Coal, though necessary in the medium term, carries heavy environmental and climate costs. Nuclear power offers unique advantages: large-scale, stable, low-carbon baseload generation. Major economies such as the United States, France, China, South Korea and the UAE have embraced nuclear energy alongside renewables.
India’s electricity demand is projected to surge sharply. Cooling, EVs, industrial corridors, semiconductors and digital infrastructure will drive per capita consumption higher. Failure to expand generation capacity aggressively risks constraining growth, raising costs, deterring investment and limiting job creation.
Lessons from Peers and India’s Cautious Pace
China has pursued aggressive nuclear expansion while scaling renewables, building dozens of reactors with impressive speed. India, despite strong scientific talent and operational experience, has advanced more cautiously. Current nuclear capacity stands at roughly 8.8–9 GW, with targets of 22.5 GW by 2031–32 and a more ambitious long-term goal of 100 GW by 2047.
The Liability Challenge
The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, rooted in legitimate safety concerns, has created uncertainty for foreign suppliers through its supplier liability provisions. This has slowed progress on international projects despite political goodwill. India rightly prioritises safety and national interests. But excessive rigidity on liability, localisation, financing or regulatory procedures risks imposing higher long-term costs than carefully balanced compromises. A strategic mindset — pairing robust safety standards, insurance pools, strict regulation, technology transfer and localisation targets with commercially viable terms — can unlock deeper partnerships with the US, France, Russia and others.
Strategic and Geopolitical Opportunities
Global efforts to diversify supply chains away from over-reliance on China create a favourable window. Reliable power is a prerequisite for India to emerge as a major manufacturing and industrial hub. The worldwide push toward net-zero emissions also strengthens the case for nuclear energy, opening access to advanced technologies such as Small Modular Reactors, or SMRs, which promise lower costs and faster deployment. India should aim not merely to import reactors but to integrate into the global nuclear supply chain through collaboration.
Addressing Concerns Head-On
Nuclear projects are capital-intensive and take time to build. But their full lifecycle costs and the severe economic impact of energy shortages must be weighed realistically. Modern reactor designs have significantly improved safety, and India maintains a credible operational record. Waste management, emergency preparedness and transparency require continued focus through stronger regulation — not strategic hesitation.
A Defining Choice
Nuclear energy is not a silver bullet but an indispensable pillar alongside renewables and other sources. India possesses the talent, market scale, engineering base and strategic importance to become a global nuclear leader. What it needs now is the policy flexibility and urgency to match its developmental ambitions.
The visit of the American nuclear delegation should be seized as an opportunity to reassess long-term energy strategy. History favours nations that address future constraints proactively. By balancing safety, sovereignty and pragmatism, India can power its rise while contributing meaningfully to global clean energy goals.
