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.

District Cooling Critical for India's Energy Future Amid Rising Demand

Industry leaders at the 6th ET Energy Leadership Summit 2026 highlighted the urgent need for district cooling infrastructure in India. Cooling demand in the country is projected to increase eightfold by 2047-48 from 2017-18 levels, potentially consuming up to half of the peak electricity demand. Experts stressed that meeting this demand requires a comprehensive approach, including policy mandates, viable business models, domestic manufacturing, and better integration with grid planning.

Marisamy Muthuraman, Additional General Manager-Engineering at NTPC, noted that simply expanding generation capacity to meet cooling needs would incur significant costs across generation, transmission, and distribution. Instead, he advocated for strategies such as time-of-day tariffs and thermal energy storage to shift cooling consumption to off-peak hours and support grid balancing. The panel concluded that the successful scaling of district cooling in India depends on policy recognition, financial incentives, and the development of domestic equipment capabilities to prevent a substantial peak-power problem.

BNC Power Projects Secures Two EPC Contracts for Maharashtra Transmission Network Upgrade

Contract Details and Scope of Work

BNC Power Projects Limited has secured two turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts from Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MSETCL). The combined value of these contracts exceeds Rs 2.8 billion. The primary objective of these projects is to modernize and reinforce Maharashtra’s extra high voltage (EHV) transmission network through the conversion of existing air-insulated substations (AIS) into gas-insulated substations (GIS).

The first contract, valued at approximately Rs 1.09 billion, involves the conversion of existing 220/100 kV AIS bays to GIS bays at the 220/100 kV Kandalgaon substation. This work falls under the EHV project-cum-operation and maintenance (PC O&M) Zone, Vashi.

The second contract, valued at approximately Rs 1.71 billion, encompasses several tasks. It includes the elimination of the existing 100/22 kV Vasai substation and the establishment of new 220 kV GIS and 100 kV GIS facilities at Vasai. Additionally, this contract covers the supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of 22 kV GIS bays at the 220/22 kV Nalasopara substation, also within the EHV PC O&M Zone, Vashi.

Project Timeline and Expected Impact

Both projects are scheduled for completion within 15 months from the respective dates of the Letters of Award (LoAs). Upon completion, these upgrades are anticipated to improve the operational efficiency of MSETCL’s transmission network. The enhancements are specifically targeted at benefiting the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and the Konkan region.