Haryana to Get North India’s First Nuclear Plant as India Advances Clean Energy Goals

New Delhi: India’s nuclear energy ambitions are set to expand with North India’s first nuclear power plant coming up in Gorakhpur, Haryana. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed this major development while reaffirming the government’s commitment to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Maharashtra, which is poised to become India’s largest nuclear power facility.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Dr. Singh addressed concerns regarding the Jaitapur project, stating that while environmental clearance for the plant is currently under renewal, necessary safety and ecological safeguards have been put in place. He reassured the House that the government remains confident in the project’s safety despite objections from conservation groups and concerns about seismic risks in the region. He emphasized that there is no evidence to suggest any threat to marine life, fisheries, or the surrounding communities, citing multiple studies supporting the project’s safety.

The Minister clarified that the environmental clearance for Jaitapur had expired in December 2022 due to procedural delays, not because of new environmental concerns. “If there were serious environmental hazards or evidence of risk, we would not have received clearance even earlier,” he explained.

Tracing the project’s history, Dr. Singh noted that while Jaitapur received its initial approvals in 2008, delays arose due to shifts in agreements with French stakeholders. However, with technical agreements now finalized, negotiations are underway to finalize commercial terms. The Jaitapur plant will house six nuclear reactors, each with a capacity of 1,730 MW, totaling 10,380 MW—making it one of the world’s largest nuclear power stations and contributing 10% to India’s 100 GW nuclear energy target by 2047.

Addressing concerns over nuclear liability, Dr. Singh highlighted India’s Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) framework, which ensures financial safeguards. The project’s liability primarily rests with the operator, and an insurance pool of ₹1,500 crore has been established to handle any incidents. Additionally, India has aligned with global compensation mechanisms to ensure financial security in case of an unforeseen event.

In a strategic policy shift, the government is now opening the nuclear energy sector to private investment, aiming to accelerate expansion and meet India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070. As part of this initiative, the Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant in Haryana marks a significant milestone as North India’s first nuclear power project, reinforcing the country’s commitment to clean energy and technological advancement.

With both the Jaitapur and Gorakhpur projects in progress, India is set to strengthen its position as a leader in nuclear energy, ensuring a reliable, sustainable, and emissions-free power source for the future.