In a representation to the government, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) said structured, expeditious technology transfer and licensing would support faster deployment of nuclear energy projects and help mobilise the scale of capital required, people aware of the matter said. Ficci sought formal guidelines governing technology transfer, noting that greater clarity on licensing arrangements would also enable companies to move forward with partnerships and manufacturing commitments.
In its letter to the Department of Atomic Energy, Ficci said standardised PHWR technology would provide a ready platform for scaling up India’s nuclear power programme. The April letter, seen by ET, said adoption of technology would strengthen project viability.
According to a September 2025 government report on the roadmap to scale nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by 2047, the cost of PHWR reactors was Rs 15- 16 crore per MW, which translates to a levelised tariff slightly higher than Rs 6 per unit, excluding water and insurance charges of around 15 paise.
If substantial manufacturing of equipment is indigenised, the capital cost of a pressurised water reactor may come down from the estimated Rs 30 crore per MW to Rs 22-25 crore, or a levelised tariff of Rs 6-6.60 per unit, it said. Concerted efforts will be required to bring down the capital cost and tariff, the report had said.
The industry proposal comes as the government looks to significantly expand nuclear power capacity as part of its clean energy and energy security objectives.Indian companies are also keen on foreign collaboration for technology, and some are already holding discussions with potential partners, an industry executive said. “Companies are also looking at foreign technologies, provided they come with the right kind of economic framework,” the executive said.
State-run power producer NTPC has signed non-disclosure agreements with Russia’s Rosatom and France’s EDF to explore collaboration on deploying large pressurised water reactor projects in India.