India opens civil nuclear power sector to private firms

NEW DELHI — India's Parliament approved new legislation Thursday that opens the civil nuclear power sector to private companies, marking a major policy shift intended to accelerate clean energy expansion while drawing scrutiny over safety and liability safeguards. The government says the move will modernize India's nuclear framework and help meet growing energy needs, even as opposition parties argue it risks diluting protections for public health and the environment.

The lower house passed the legislation on Wednesday, and the upper house followed suit on Thursday. It now awaits assent from the president, a formality that would bring the measure into force. Supporters say the bill signals a landmark shift away from decades of state-dominated nuclear energy, inviting private players to participate in a field long treated as a strategic domain. Critics warn that opening the sector could raise risks if proper safeguards are not maintained and that accountability mechanisms are insufficient for potential damages or health impacts in communities near facilities.

Officials and policymakers frame the legislation as a way to attract investment and stimulate innovation in a sector seen as essential to achieving climate goals. Karthik Ganesan, director of strategic partnerships at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, said the bill “marks a momentous milestone for India and signals capable private sector players that the country is open for business in the nuclear energy space.” Junior Minister Jitendra Singh, who oversees the department of atomic energy, told lawmakers that the act — titled Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India — seeks to modernize the country’s nuclear framework in line with technological, economic and energy realities while retaining and strengthening core safety, security and regulatory safeguards. “India’s role in geopolitics is increasing. And if we have to be a global player effectively, we have to live up to global benchmarks, follow global parameters and adopt global strategies,” Singh said, stressing that the legislation is necessary to address the country’s growing energy needs.

India, one of the world’s largest emitters of planet-warming gases, has pledged more than $2 billion in recent months toward research and allied activities in nuclear science and related fields. Nuclear power is a non-emitting form of electricity, but it produces radioactive waste and carries the potential for accidents that could affect nearby populations. Current energy data show more than 75% of India’s power still comes from fossil fuels, primarily coal, underscoring the urgency of diversifying energy sources as the country seeks to expand capacity.

The government has set a target of installing 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047, a goal that would contribute to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and supporting climate targets. Proponents say private-sector participation could accelerate deployment, spur innovation in technologies such as small modular reactors, and help India pursue a more reliable baseload complement to intermittent solar and wind energy.

Opposition parties, however, criticized the bill for perceived gaps in safeguards. Ashok Mittal, a lawmaker from the Aam Aadmi Party, told The Associated Press that the bill lacks sufficient protections to mitigate health risks for people living near nuclear plants. Anti-nuclear activist G. Sundarrajan called the legislation a “disastrous law,” arguing that it weakens essential safeguards that would ensure investor accountability for safety and reduce the likelihood of disasters affecting millions. He also said the bill provides little recourse for Indian citizens to claim damages if they are harmed by radiation leaks or other health impacts from a plant in their region.

As debate continues over the appropriate balance between private investment, rapid deployment, and rigorous safety oversight, India’s government emphasizes that the new framework will operate within a robust regulatory regime designed to meet international standards. Supporters see the move as a practical step toward expanding clean electricity capacity at a time when nations are reassessing nuclear power as part of their strategy to meet climate targets and cut fossil-fuel dependence.

The legislation’s fate now hinges on presidential assent, after which private entities could participate in India’s civil nuclear projects under a clarified set of safety, liability and regulatory parameters. The path forward will likely be watched closely by energy policymakers, industry players, and communities near existing or planned facilities, as India seeks to position itself as a global player in nuclear energy while balancing environmental and public-health protections.