Why India needs nuclear power beyond solar

Source: The post “Why India needs nuclear power beyond solar” has been created based on “Why India needs nuclear power beyond solar” published in “Daily Pioneer” on 10th November 2026.

UPSC Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy

Context: India’s energy transition requires not only increasing electricity generation but also ensuring that electricity is clean, reliable, affordable and available throughout the day. The COP31 Presidency has set a target of increasing electricity’s share to 35% of global final energy demand by 2035. For India, achieving this target requires faster electrification of the economy along with diversification of its energy sources, including solar, wind, storage and nuclear power.

India’s Present Electricity and Energy Scenario

1. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s India Energy Scenario 2024–25, electricity accounts for approximately 23% of India’s final energy consumption.
2. When traditional fuels such as firewood, crop residue and dung are included, the share falls to approximately 19%.
3. The share of electricity in final energy consumption has increased only marginally from around 22% over the past five years.
4. Therefore, achieving 35% electrification by 2035 requires India to accelerate its pace of electrification several times.

Sectoral challenges:

1.  Industry accounts for approximately 50% of India’s final energy consumption, but electricity meets only 19% of its energy requirements.
2. Coal continues to meet nearly 58% of industrial energy demand.
3. Electrification of industrial heating and manufacturing processes requires a continuous supply of clean, reliable and affordable electricity.
4. Rising energy demand means that India must expand electricity generation both to meet economic growth and to replace conventional fossil fuels.

Reasons Why Solar Energy Alone Is Not Sufficient

1. Intermittency of solar energy
   1.  Solar power generation depends on sunlight and is therefore unavailable during the night.
   2. On 29 July 2025, renewable energy met a record 51.5% of India’s electricity demand.
   3. However, electricity demand continues during evening and night hours when solar generation declines.

1. Changing pattern of electricity demand

1. 1. Buildings account for approximately one-third of India’s electricity consumption.
   2. Household electricity consumption nearly doubled from 217 billion units in 2014–15 to approximately 409 billion units in 2024–25, largely due to fans and air conditioners.
   3. Electric vehicles, which account for approximately 8% of new vehicle registrations, are increasingly charged during evening hours.
   4. Data centres and steel furnaces require uninterrupted electricity supply throughout the day.

3. Increasing pressure on the electricity grid

1. 1. The midday decline in net load, after subtracting solar generation, has increased from approximately 25 GW in 2023 to 64 GW in 2026.
   2. Electricity generated through solar power during the daytime needs to be replaced by alternative sources after sunset.
   3. At present, coal largely meets this evening electricity demand.

4. Limitations of battery storage

1. 1. By mid-2026, India had installed approximately 9.3 GWh of battery storage.
   2. Against this, the Central Electricity Authority’s plan envisaged a requirement of approximately 35 GWh by 2026–27.
   3. Batteries can shift solar electricity across a few hours but are less suitable for meeting prolonged energy requirements during cloudy weeks, monsoons and winter evenings.
   4. Therefore, India requires firm, low-carbon electricity sources that can provide power irrespective of weather conditions.

Significance of Nuclear Energy for India

1. Ensuring reliable and uninterrupted electricity
   1. Nuclear energy provides firm, low-carbon electricity and can operate independently of daily weather conditions.
   2. It can complement intermittent renewable sources by supplying electricity during periods of low solar and wind generation.

2. Supporting industrial growth

1. 1. Industries such as steel, cement, fertilisers and chemicals require large quantities of uninterrupted electricity.
   2. Small modular and small nuclear reactors can potentially provide captive or cluster-level electricity to industrial units.
   3. Nuclear power can also meet the continuous electricity requirements of data centres.

3. Reducing dependence on coal

1. 1. Nuclear energy can help reduce dependence on coal for meeting electricity demand during non-solar hours
   2. It can prevent the possibility of an economy becoming increasingly electrified while continuing to depend on fossil fuels for electricity generation.

 4. Supporting long-term decarbonisation

1. 1. Nuclear power is a firm, low-carbon source of electricity.
   2.  It can complement solar, wind and battery storage in achieving India’s long-term climate and energy transition objectives.

5. Strengthening energy security

1. 1.  India’s domestic nuclear technology and fuel-cycle expertise provide an opportunity to develop nuclear power at scale.
   2. Diversification of energy sources can reduce dependence on a single source of electricity generation.

India’s Nuclear Energy Potential and Recent Developments

1.  Nuclear energy currently contributes approximately 3% of India’s total electricity generation.
2. With projects under construction, India’s nuclear capacity is expected to reach approximately 22.4 GW by 2034.
3. The Government of India has set a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
4. The SHANTI Act, 2025, allows private companies to build, own, operate and decommission nuclear power plants, subject to central licensing and regulatory approval.
5. Private sector participation is expected to mobilise investment and accelerate nuclear capacity expansion.

Major private sector initiatives:

1. NTPC has planned approximately 30 GW of nuclear capacity across at least 14 states.
2.  The Adani Group has announced plans for up to 10 GW of nuclear capacity by 2035.
3. Bharat Small Reactors offer an opportunity to explore nuclear power for captive industrial consumption and cluster-level electricity supply.

Three Major Reforms Required to Strengthen Nuclear Energy

1. Paying for reliability rather than merely electricity generation
   1. India’s electricity markets largely reward the cheapest electricity available at a particular time.
   2. This approach supports solar power but does not adequately recognise the value of reliable electricity available during evening and night hours.
   3. Capacity payments, two-part tariffs and procurement mechanisms based on round-the-clock electricity supply should be introduced to encourage firm power sources such as nuclear energy.
2. Matching small reactors with high-demand industrial sectors
   1. Small nuclear reactors should be strategically deployed in industrial clusters involving steel, cement, fertilisers and chemicals.
   2. Bharat Small Reactors can provide captive or cluster-level electricity to industries requiring continuous power.
   3. This approach can also reduce pressure on electricity transmission infrastructure.
3. Reducing the cost of capital
   1. A major portion of nuclear power costs arises from financing rather than fuel expenses.
   2.  Long-tenure concessional loans, sovereign green bonds and the inclusion of nuclear energy in India’s green finance taxonomy can reduce financing costs.
   3. The COP31 Presidency’s focus on financial mobilisation and technology transfer can support such investments.
4. Importance of Integrated Energy Planning
   1. Nuclear energy, renewable energy, battery storage and transmission infrastructure should be planned together.
   2.  Energy planning should be based on hourly electricity demand rather than annual generation and consumption figures alone.
   3. Such an integrated approach will help maintain grid stability, ensure reliable electricity supply and optimise the use of different energy sources.

Conclusion: Solar and wind energy will remain the primary drivers of India’s immediate energy transition, while nuclear power will play a crucial role in ensuring long-term energy security. India’s 2035 electrification target can be supported by renewable energy, but maintaining clean and uninterrupted electricity supply beyond 2035 will require firm, low-carbon sources such as nuclear energy. Therefore, India must pursue a balanced energy strategy combining renewable energy, nuclear power, storage and transmission infrastructure to achieve sustainable economic growth and long-term decarbonisation.

Question: India’s transition towards a clean energy economy cannot rely solely on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. In this context, examine the significance of nuclear energy in ensuring India’s energy security and achieving its long-term decarbonisation goals.

Source: Daily Pioneer