Speaking at a workshop on the SHANTI Act held in April, Singh said the country must guard against the kind of supply-chain vulnerabilities currently being witnessed globally, according to a recent report published by the Central Electricity Authority.
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India’s largest power producer has committed to developing 30 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, against the country’s target of 100 GW under the Viksit Bharat programme.
For a large utility like NTPC, the focus should remain on large-capacity reactor sets rather than small modular reactors, Singh said, adding that SMRs may be better suited for captive industrial use despite their high standby costs.
NTPC is engaging with 14 states on nuclear projects, though acceptance levels remain uneven, he said.
Singh stressed the need for greater public outreach and site visits to improve awareness around nuclear safety.Also read: India to shrink zones around nuclear reactors to free up land, sources say
Ensuring long-term fuel security for nuclear plants, which are designed to operate for more than 60 years, will also be critical for the sector’s expansion, he said.
Singh also advocated repurposing retiring thermal power plant sites for nuclear projects.