Bhubaneswar, July 15 (UDN): Odisha has emerged as one of the frontrunners in the Naveen Jindal Group’s ambitious plan to develop a nationwide nuclear power network with a proposed generation capacity of 18 GW, involving an estimated investment of ₹3.6 lakh crore.
The diversified business group is currently evaluating potential locations across more than nine states to establish large-scale nuclear power plants as part of its long-term clean energy strategy. Odisha is among the coastal states being considered, alongside Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, while Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are also on the shortlist.
According to sources familiar with the development, discussions are underway with several state governments to identify suitable project sites. The final selection will depend on multiple factors, including land availability, access to adequate water resources, geological stability, transmission infrastructure, environmental clearances and overall project viability.
The group’s nuclear energy foray will be spearheaded by Jindal Nuclear Power Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jindal Renewables. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision of expanding the country’s nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047 as part of its clean energy transition.
As part of the proposed programme, the company plans to deploy Large Module Reactors (LMRs) with an individual generating capacity of 700 MW or more. Industry estimates indicate that setting up a 1 GW nuclear power plant typically requires an investment of ₹15,000 crore to ₹20,000 crore, making the planned expansion one of the largest private-sector investments in India’s nuclear energy sector.
If Odisha secures one or more of the proposed projects, it could attract substantial industrial investment, generate employment, strengthen supporting infrastructure and reinforce the state’s position as an emerging hub for advanced energy projects. However, the company is yet to announce the final project locations or implementation timeline.