India's Data Center Expansion Eyes Nuclear Power for Low-Carbon Supply

Data center capacity in India is projected to increase from approximately 375 MW in 2020 to 1,575 MW by 2026. This expansion, driven by AI, cloud services, and digital infrastructure, requires significant power and resource planning. Future phases are expected to be even more power-intensive.

To support this growth, India is exploring various energy solutions. The country's expanding nuclear program and future small modular reactors (SMRs) are identified as potential sources for firm, low-carbon electricity for large computing clusters in the 2030s. Parallel development of commercial and regulatory frameworks for nuclear-data center arrangements is also being considered.

Infrastructure planning for these facilities extends beyond power to include water, land, and network connectivity. States are encouraged to map resources such as grid capacity, clean energy potential, sustainable water sources, and fiber before designating large clusters. This approach aims to ensure that new data centers contribute to local economic value through procurement, skills development, and tax revenues, rather than solely focusing on announced gigawatts or capital commitments.

Savannah River Site Resumes Waste Shipments to WIPP Using New Container Technology

The Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, S.C., has resumed shipping remote-handled legacy transuranic waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico. This development follows an announcement from the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) regarding the successful completion of the initial shipment utilizing a new type of heavy-duty shielded container.

The introduction of this new packaging is a key component in facilitating the continued transfer of remote-handled transuranic waste. These materials require specialized handling due to their radioactivity and are a focus of ongoing environmental management efforts. The successful first shipment marks a significant step in the long-term waste disposition strategy for legacy materials generated from defense-related activities.

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant is the nation's only deep geological repository for transuranic waste, playing a critical role in the Department of Energy's mission to safely manage and dispose of nuclear waste. The resumption of shipments from SRS contributes to the overall progress in reducing the inventory of such waste stored at various sites across the United States. The new container technology is expected to enhance the safety and efficiency of these transportation operations.

India Targets 100 GW Nuclear Capacity by 2047 Amidst Grid Expansion

India is developing its power system to accommodate a larger share of non-fossil energy sources, including nuclear power. A transmission plan is being implemented to support approximately 900 GW of capacity by 2035-36. This expansion focuses on integrating renewable energy while maintaining grid stability through technologies like pumped storage, batteries, and grid-forming solutions.

Nuclear power is projected to play a more significant role in India's energy mix, with a target of 100 GW by 2047. This ambition is part of a broader strategy to diversify generation and meet increasing power demand, which is expected to double in the coming years and rise substantially by 2047. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) indicates that achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 is feasible, given the accelerated pace of capacity additions.

The success of this energy transition hinges on the simultaneous scaling of generation, transmission, and storage infrastructure. Domestic manufacturing, cybersecurity measures, and streamlined regulatory approvals are identified as crucial elements for the expanding power system. The ability of transmission, storage, domestic equipment supply, and grid technologies to scale efficiently will be critical for maintaining reliability as India pursues its 2035-36 and 2047 energy objectives.