Tata Power Begins Site Studies for Nuclear Power Plants in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat, DPR Expected in 6 Months
Tata Power has started preliminary site evaluation work for nuclear power projects across three states — Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat. Geotechnical studies are already under way at the shortlisted locations, according to CEO and Managing Director Praveer Sinha.
The company expects to complete detailed project reports (DPRs) for the proposed sites within the next six months. Site-related pre-project activities, including land acquisition and water availability studies, are also part of the current phase of work. Construction is expected to begin around early 2028, with commissioning targeted for 2032-33, which would make it India's first privately developed nuclear power plant.
Alongside the larger nuclear plant plans, Tata Power is working with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) on two Small Modular Reactor (SMR) units of 220 MW each. Detailed project reports for these SMR units are being prepared in collaboration with NPCIL.
The projects follow India's parliament passing legislation opening the nuclear power sector to private and foreign companies, as the country targets a roughly tenfold increase in nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047. Tata Power is among several companies, including Hindalco Industries, Jindal Steel & Power, Reliance Industries, JSW Energy and Adani Power, that had earlier expressed interest in NPCIL's proposed fleet of Bharat Small Reactors across sites in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
Sinha said the company expects the regulatory approval process to take 12 to 14 months and is awaiting clarity from the government on matters including long-term uranium supply and pricing before finalising its plans.