India Promotes Nuclear Energy and Battery Energy Storage to Ensure Energy Security
India's federal government has called on states to speed up approvals of nuclear power and battery energy storage systems on their territories in a bid to improve energy security amid a sharp rise in electricity demand. According to Economic Times newspaper, this information was announced last Monday.
Current Situation
To date, up to 15 states or territories need to take "expeditious action" in licensing proposed nuclear power plants and battery energy storage systems. The central government informed this to ministers and officials from all states in a meeting last week.
| State/Territory | Licensing Status |
|---|---|
| State 1 | Permission needed urgently |
| State 2 | Permission needed urgently |
| State 3 | Permission needed urgently |
Licensing Challenges
India has identified nearly three dozen sites for nuclear reactors, but permitting for land allocation has been slow, according to the federal government. Many states have also been asked to complete licensing procedures for battery energy storage systems, as India prepares for a major surge in electricity demand due to urbanization and a boom in data centers.
New Nuclear Energy Law
At the end of 2025, the Indian government approved the landmark Nuclear Energy bill, allowing private companies to invest in the country's nuclear energy industry for the first time. The goal is to increase India's nuclear power capacity tenfold over the next two decades.
The SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing of Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) program is expected to promote large investments from private companies in India's nuclear energy sector. However, states need to speed up permitting and approvals for proposed projects.
Investment Costs To Achieve Goals
A committee set up by India's Ministry of Energy pointed out in a report that India's target to increase installed nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047, from just 8.8 GW currently, will require about 19.28 million Indian rupees (equivalent to $204 billion at current exchange rates) in total investment.
Enhances Energy Storage
Over the years, India has also increased energy storage to support the rapid expansion of solar installations. However, the country needs more to ensure that renewable energy cuts are minimized.
According to a report from clean energy consultancy Ember, solar and batteries can currently meet 90% of India's electricity needs at a competitive electricity cost of INR 5.06/kWh.
Thus, the Indian government is making continuous efforts to improve energy security through promoting nuclear energy and energy storage projects, meeting the country's growing needs in the context of urbanization and technological development.