The leading power generation business in India, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), has released a major worldwide tender looking for partners to construct nuclear reactors utilising pressurised water reactor technology, with a capacity of about 15 gigawatts. Publicised on March 26, 2025, this historic tender marks a turning point in India’s nuclear energy strategy as the nation seeks to significantly increase its nuclear capacity from the current 8 GW to an ambitious 100 GW by 2047. The specific requirements, which include lifetime fuel supply commitments, progressive indigenisation of technology, and adherence to Indian regulatory frameworks, demonstrate NTPC’s sincere desire to become a major player in India’s nuclear energy market alongside Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd., the country’s only nuclear operator at the moment.
With this Expression of Interest (EOI), NTPC, which has historically been recognised for its coal-fired power facilities, is strategically diversifying into nuclear power generation. With a goal capacity of 15 GW ±10%, the business is looking for international partners to assist in the establishment of large-capacity (1000 MW & above) nuclear power plants based on pressurised water reactors (PWRs). The ambitious goal of the Indian government to generate 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047 is in line with this strategy.
The action marks a critical turning point in NTPC’s development as an energy provider. With its current proficiency in hydropower, thermal power, and renewable energy, NTPC now hopes to apply its project management and execution skills in the nuclear industry. “Generate power, which is reliable, affordable, and accessible with aspirations to work towards Net Zero” is the stated goal of NTPC, according to the tender document. This goal is furthered by diversifying into nuclear power, which gives its portfolio a reliable, low-carbon source of electricity.
In a bigger context, NTPC’s ambitions are part of a larger strategy that calls for the corporation to invest an estimated $62 billion to create about 30 GW of nuclear capacity over the next 20 years. This demonstrates NTPC’s projected role as a key player in the country’s nuclear future and constitutes a significant chunk of India’s nuclear goals.
This tender’s timing is especially noteworthy because it comes after recent policy declarations pertaining to India’s nuclear industry. To encourage private and foreign investment in the nuclear industry, the Indian government announced plans to alter its nuclear liability law in February 2025. As a result, this offer is the first significant procurement effort since India started allowing greater participation in its hitherto closed nuclear sector.
With an emphasis on technological transfer, indigenisation, and sustained dedication to the Indian nuclear program, the NTPC tender specifies extensive requirements for possible international partners.
Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) technology with individual reactor capabilities of 1000 MW or more must be provided by potential partners. The chosen partner will be in charge of all aspects of the nuclear power plant lifecycle, including design, engineering, procurement, construction, initial operation, and maintenance, from conception to commissioning.
The partner must operate and maintain the nuclear power plants for the first five years after commissioning, which is a unique operational requirement. Until NTPC staff are adequately educated to take over the facilities, this approach guarantees seamless functioning.
The increasing indigenisation of PWR technology is a key component of NTPC’s approach. The initial reactor unit must have at least 60% of its components made in the country, and the final reactor unit must have more than 95% of its components made in the country. Either the applicant’s Indian subsidiary or joint venture or alliances with Indian businesses can achieve this.
In order to enable the increasing localisation of nuclear reactor systems and components in India, the tender also calls for the creation of a Phased Manufacturing Program (PMP). For components needed for large-capacity PWR-based nuclear power reactors, partners must develop domestic manufacturing skills. Working with one or more Indian manufacturers will provide a strong and sustainable supply chain.
There are strict restrictions for the provision of nuclear fuel in the tender. In accordance with Indian rules and regulations, partners must pledge to provide a lifelong supply of nuclear fuel with a sovereign guarantee. To guarantee a dependable and legal supply of nuclear fuel, they also need to set up a fuel fabrication facility under the protections of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Bidders must adhere to Indian legislation, including obtaining a licence for the proposed technology, and have approval from the authorities in their home countries. The technology must be flexible enough to satisfy the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board’s (AERB) criteria in India.
India has set lofty goals for the growth of its nuclear power capacity, aiming for at least 100 GW by 2047 and 20 GW by 2032. above the next 20 years, this amounts to more than a twelve-fold increase above current levels.
India’s energy transformation and decarbonisation objectives depend on this nuclear capacity growth. Nuclear energy is “crucial in decarbonising the power sector by providing a stable and low-carbon source of electricity,” according to NTPC’s tender document. Nuclear power is positioned as a major contributor to India’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, which is also included in the paper.
The strict responsibilities under the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act 2010 have been a major obstacle to the growth of nuclear power in India, discouraging multinational companies like GE and Westinghouse from entering the Indian nuclear market.
To encourage private and foreign investment, India did, however, announce intentions to change its nuclear liability regulations in February 2025. It is anticipated that these changes will allay the worries of foreign nuclear suppliers and improve the conditions for their involvement in India’s nuclear development.
An atmosphere that is conducive to foreign cooperation in India’s nuclear industry has been established by recent diplomatic events. The two nations released a joint statement on renewed nuclear cooperation to “fully realise” the US-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Washington.
The joint statement particularly referred to their “commitment to fully realise the US-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement by moving forward with plans to work together to build US-designed nuclear reactors in India through large-scale localisation and possible technology transfer” .
The US Department of Energy’s approval of Holtec International, an American company, to transfer small modular reactor (SMR) technology to India marked a major milestone. The clearance, which was given on March 26, 2025, permits Holtec to work with three private companies in India: Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T), Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd. (TCE), and its regional subsidiary Holtec Asia.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards must be followed during the ten-year authorisation period, which has five-year reviews. Additionally, it forbids the technology’s application to nuclear weapons or military applications. Notably, Holtec may eventually ask to change this authorisation in order to include AERB, NTPC, and NPCIL as permitted end users.
An important turning point in India’s nuclear power industry was marked by NTPC’s international tender for 15 GW of nuclear capacity. This move shows a strong commitment to broadening India’s energy mix and lowering carbon emissions, especially from a corporation that has historically concentrated on thermal power.
The tender’s focus on indigenisation acknowledges the necessity for foreign technology and experience in the early stages while still being in line with India’s larger goals of self-reliance. Building domestic nuclear capabilities can be accomplished pragmatically with the progressive localisation strategy, which starts with 60% indigenisation and progresses to 95%.
This tender offers international nuclear suppliers a substantial chance to get into one of the energy markets with the fastest rate of growth in the world. But there are still obstacles to overcome, such as navigating India’s regulatory environment and dealing with nuclear liability issues. Although the proposals to change India’s nuclear liability rules have been revealed, international participation will depend on the details and timing of these changes.
Looking ahead, a number of elements will determine this initiative’s success, including how international nuclear vendors respond, whether regulatory reforms are implemented, how well technology transfer channels work, and whether domestic manufacturing capabilities are developed. If successful, this project could position NTPC as a key player in the world nuclear business and greatly speed up India’s progress towards its 100 GW nuclear ambition.
