NTPC Nuclear Plans: First DAE Feasibility Study in 2026

What NTPC is planning next in nuclear power

NTPC is preparing to submit its first completed feasibility study for a nuclear project to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), according to sources cited by PTI. The company is seeking the DAE’s nod to move ahead, a step that would open the route for NTPC’s first standalone nuclear project in India. The development comes as NTPC pushes to diversify its generation mix and build nuclear capability alongside its thermal and renewable portfolio.

Sources said NTPC is targeting at least 2 GW of nuclear capacity by 2032. In parallel, the company is conducting feasibility studies in multiple states, expanding the range of potential sites before moving to detailed planning.

Feasibility studies underway across multiple states

PTI sources said NTPC has completed a feasibility study in one state and is undertaking similar studies in two other states. One source said the completed feasibility report would be submitted “very soon.” The company’s approach indicates that site identification and early technical due diligence are being run in parallel across locations, rather than sequentially.

Alongside the completed study, NTPC is nearing completion of feasibility studies for nuclear projects in two more states, another source said. This multi-state pipeline matters because nuclear projects require long lead times and approvals, and site selection often becomes the most time-consuming early-stage activity.

How DAE approvals work for new nuclear proposals

Under the established process described by sources, the Standing Site Selection Committee under the DAE reviews proposals for technical feasibility. If the proposal is found viable, it is then placed before the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) for further processing.

For NTPC, submission of the first feasibility study is a key procedural milestone. It shifts the project from internal assessment toward formal evaluation under the nuclear regulatory and administrative structure, which determines whether the project can proceed to subsequent stages.

Bihar’s Banka district emerges as a fresh site under evaluation

A recent development is Bihar’s support for NTPC to conduct a feasibility study for a nuclear project in Banka district. Sources said the Energy Department of the Bihar government has given a go-ahead for the study. Separate reporting also described NTPC’s exploration of two nuclear units of 700 MW each in Banka, implying a combined capacity of 1,400 MW.

The proposed location is described as around 250 km from Patna. Reports also indicated that around 1,000 acres of land could be required for the project. The Bihar government has assured support for the project, including water availability, which is a critical operational requirement for nuclear plants.

What the Banka proposal could cost and what comes next

If the Banka project moves beyond feasibility, it could involve an investment of around Rs 25,000 crore, as per reports citing officials and PTI. After the feasibility assessment, a detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared to firm up technical design, costs, and execution planning.

Industry estimates cited in the reports suggest a 1 GW nuclear plant typically requires Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 crore of investment and takes at least three years from concept to commissioning. While these figures are not NTPC guidance, they underline the capital-intensive and long-cycle nature of nuclear additions.

NTPC’s clarification on the status of studies

A separate update stated that NTPC issued a clarification denying media reports that it had commenced feasibility studies for a 1,400 MW nuclear project in Banka district. The company said such activities are preliminary investigations and do not constitute a material event.

Taken together, the updates point to an active early-stage pipeline, but with NTPC signalling that the Banka work remains exploratory in nature and not at a stage requiring material disclosure. Investors typically track such clarifications closely because they frame the certainty level around capex and timelines.

Existing nuclear exposure: Rajasthan JV and Mahi Banswara project

NTPC already has nuclear exposure through joint ventures. The company is setting up a nuclear project in a JV with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) in Rajasthan, with an investment of about Rs 42,000 crore.

Separately, ASHVINI, NTPC’s JV platform with NPCIL, is involved in the installation of the 2,800 MW Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) in Rajasthan. NTPC has also indicated it is targeting 30 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 through ASHVINI and through a wholly owned subsidiary, NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam Ltd (NPUNL).

Key numbers at a glance

Market impact and why this matters for the sector

The immediate market implication is not about near-term earnings, but about long-term capital allocation and portfolio diversification. Nuclear projects involve multi-year approvals, large capex, and high requirements for land and assured water, as highlighted by the Banka estimates.

For NTPC, moving from feasibility studies to DAE review is a formal step that can shape the company’s pipeline beyond coal and renewables. It also links NTPC’s planning to India’s broader nuclear capacity ambition cited in the reports, including the 100 GW nuclear target by 2047.

Analysis: a multi-track pipeline, but still early-stage

The current flow of information shows NTPC running a multi-track process. One track is the submission of a completed feasibility study to the DAE, which indicates readiness to enter the formal site-selection and approval pipeline. Another track is exploratory work across states, including Bihar, where support has been signalled for a feasibility study.

At the same time, NTPC’s clarification on the Banka reports is a reminder that not every exploration step translates into a committed project. For investors, the key checkpoints remain: completion of feasibility reports, DAE committee review, movement to the AEC process, and eventual DPR preparation for specific sites.

Conclusion

NTPC’s planned submission of its first nuclear feasibility study to the DAE marks a procedural milestone as the company targets at least 2 GW of nuclear capacity by 2032. Bihar’s Banka district is one of the locations being evaluated for potential 2 x 700 MW units, while NTPC continues with nuclear development through its Rajasthan JV and ASHVINI platform. The next confirmed step is the DAE’s review process, which will determine whether the standalone proposal can move forward into the next stage of approvals and planning.