Nuclear Energy: NTPC In Talks With Foreign Firms For Technology Collaboration

State-run NTPC is actively seeking technology partners, both domestically and internationally, as it looks to expand into the nuclear energy sector.

According to a report by The Economic Times, NTPC is in discussions with several global players, including Electricité de France (EDF), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Rosatom Corporation, and U.S.-based firms GE Vernova Inc. and Holtec International Corp., for potential technology collaborations. Citing unnamed sources, the report suggests that while negotiations are ongoing, it may take several months before any agreements are finalized.

Holtec has confirmed that it is in the "early stages of discussions" with NTPC and expects to supply at least 200 small modular reactors (SMRs) to India by 2047. EDF has also acknowledged talks with NTPC regarding SMR and other reactor technologies.

To advance its nuclear energy ambitions, NTPC has formed Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd. (ASHVINI), a joint venture with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), to commission Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) nuclear projects.

The company has also recently signed a Supplementary joint venture agreement with NPCIL for the transfer of the 2,800 MW Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project to ASHVINI. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 51,000 crore, is expected to commence by the end of FY25 and take approximately eight years to complete.

Additionally, NTPC has incorporated NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam Limited on January 7, 2025, as a wholly owned subsidiary to drive its nuclear energy initiatives forward.

The company is also conducting site studies at multiple locations, having already secured approvals for four sites in Madhya Pradesh.

Currently, NTPC has an installed power generation capacity of 76.5 GW, with 29.5 GW— including 9.6 GW of renewable capacity—under construction. It aims to achieve 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.

Beyond power generation, NTPC is diversifying into emerging sectors such as e-mobility, battery storage, pumped hydro storage, waste-to-energy, and green hydrogen solutions, while also participating in bids for power distribution in Union Territories.