NTPC identifies three sites for 6-12 GW nuclear power pipeline

Key facts

• NTPC is close to identifying three locations — Basai in Madhya Pradesh, Banka in Bihar and Nabarangpur in Odisha — that could host 2,000-4,000 MW of nuclear capacity each, creating a potential 6-12 GW project pipeline.
• NTPC is evaluating reactor technologies from France's EDF, Russia's Rosatom and US-based Westinghouse and Holtec, with technology transfer and localisation as key considerations.
• NTPC plans to contribute around 30 GW to India's targeted 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.
• NTPC's 2.8-GW Mahi Banswara project in Rajasthan, comprising four 700-MW units, is being developed through Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd, its joint venture with NPCIL, while NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam Ltd is its wholly owned nuclear subsidiary.
• NTPC signed a non-binding MoU with France's EDF in April to assess EPR technology, localisation, project economics, training and potential sites.
• NTPC is lining up about Rs 14,000 crore of capital expenditure for urea and methanol projects, including a CO2-to-green urea project at Pudimadaka in Andhra Pradesh and a CO2-to-methanol project at Vindhyachal in Madhya Pradesh.
• NTPC Renewable Energy has floated bids for 2,000 MW/12,000 MWh of pumped-hydro storage across India under a 25-year storage-service arrangement.