India Energy Week 2026: India’s acceleration towards new nuclear energy capacity

India Energy Week (IEW) 2026, one of the largest energy events in the world, brought together policymakers, industry leaders and international partners. IEW 2026 comes at a key moment for India as it moves to accelerate nuclear energy deployment to support its energy and industrial goals. In December 2025, India passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill  and this week released its draft energy strategy, another major development as India aims to expand nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047.  

The event featured a dedicated Nuclear Zone for the first time, hosted by World Nuclear Association, underlining the sector’s growing prominence within India’s broader energy strategy. Exhibitors included NPCIL, Rosatom, Curtiss-Wright, Tema India Pvt Ltd, HCC, Acme Fluid Systems, Westfield, and of course World Nuclear Association, creating a focal point for engagement between Indian stakeholders and international nuclear suppliers. 

Charting the world nuclear revival 

A central moment of IEW 2026 was the leadership panel “Charting the world nuclear revival: from transformative sector reinvigoration to advanced technology-driven reinvention”, held on The Resilience Stage and moderated by Stephen Stapczynski, Energy Asia Team Leader at Bloomberg News. 

Speaking on the panel, Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of World Nuclear Association, placed India’s nuclear trajectory within a global context. She highlighted that nuclear energy is entering a phase of sustained expansion, driven by rapid growth in electricity demand, rising energy security concerns, and the need for reliable, low-carbon power. 

Drawing on insights from the newly launched World Nuclear Outlook Report, Dr Sama Bilbao y León noted that more than 50 countries now have plans for new nuclear, with global capacity expected to exceed 1,400 GW by 2050, more than triple today’s levels. Long-term operation of the existing fleet will remain central to this growth, with the majority of today’s reactors expected to operate to 60 or even 80 years. 

Against this backdrop, India stands out. With current nuclear capacity of around 8 GW and a target of 100 GW by 2047, India’s ambitions represent a more than ten-fold expansion, far exceeding the global average growth rate. 

Dr Sama Bilbao y León emphasized, however, that delivering this ambition will require more than targets alone. She pointed to the need for stronger incentives to attract foreign investment, including recognition of nuclear energy as clean power in the context of green and sustainable finance, the inclusion of nuclear energy on production credits, the establishment of a clear industrial strategy, and efforts to reinforce and diversify supply chains to support long-term growth. 

Other panellists reinforced the importance of aligning global expertise with India’s domestic priorities. Egor Kvyatkovskiy, Director General of Rosatom International Network, underlined that foreign companies investing in India must be prepared to develop enabling infrastructure alongside projects, particularly in training and skills development, while adhering to “Make in India” principles in support of localisation. 

From the industrial user perspective, Neeraj Agrawal, President of Nuclear Power at JSW Energy Limited, explained that JSW Steel is evaluating both large pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and small modular reactors (SMRs), depending on the requirements of their specific facilities. He added that Indian supply-chain companies are increasingly seeking technology partnerships, rather than simple technology transfer, reflecting growing domestic capability and ambition. 

Small modular reactors and nuclear-led energy diversification 

The role of small modular reactors (SMRs) in accelerating energy transition and diversification was explored in depth during the leadership panel “Unlocking a new nuclear age through small modular reactors (SMRs): pivoting to nuclear-led energy diversification and transition strategies”, held on The Resilience Stage at the Convention Centre. 

The session examined how rapid electrification, digitalisation and the strategic imperative to diversify energy portfolios are reshaping energy systems, prompting a renewed market re-evaluation of nuclear power. Panellists highlighted that SMRs represent a pivotal evolution in nuclear technology, offering cost-effective, flexible and dispatchable low-carbon power with the potential to achieve price and performance parity with fossil fuels, renewables and conventional large reactors. 

With SMR projects already in trial operation in China and Russia, the panel explored the key factors required to scale commercial momentum. These included international collaboration on innovation and best practice, supportive policy and regulatory frameworks, and pathways to cost reduction through standardisation and supply-chain development. The discussion reinforced the view that, if a nuclear renaissance is to underpin a future of clean, reliable, and affordable energy, SMRs could prove to be a critical catalyst for widespread deployment. 

The panel was moderated by Vikas Gaba, Partner and National Head, Power and Utilities at KPMG, and featured Rajiv Agarwal of Engineers India Limited, Ted Jones of the Nuclear Energy Institute, Kamlesh Nathani of the Adani Group and Dr Alok Mishra of Westinghouse. 

Media engagement and policy momentum 

India Energy Week 2026 saw extensive media engagement around nuclear energy and policy implementation. Bilbao y León participated in high-profile interviews with CNBC and Bloomberg, addressing India’s nuclear ambitions, the importance of implementation and India’s role in the global nuclear revival. 

In parallel, Energy Connects published Bilbao y Leon’s thought-leadership article examining how India’s “SHANTI era” could help unlock global momentum toward tripling nuclear capacity by 2050. Policy momentum was further reinforced by World Nuclear News coverage of India’s draft national energy policy, alongside the announcement that NTPC, India’s largest power utility, has joined the World Nuclear Association as a new member during India Energy Week. 

Engagement across government and industry 

Throughout the week, leadership from World Nuclear Association held a wide range of bilateral and multilateral engagements with Indian and international organisations, including JSW Group, Invest India, Guidance Tamil Nadu, Amentum, Rosatom, McKinsey & Company, Arup, EY and others. Discussions focused on investment frameworks, supply-chain development, skills and workforce readiness, localisation and long-term international collaboration. 

In addition, World Nuclear Association participated in a Confederation of Indian Industry and Larsen & Toubro closed-door roundtable on “Engineering India’s Nuclear Future: Technology, Localisation and Global Standards”, held on the sidelines of India Energy Week 2026. The roundtable brought together senior leaders from across India’s nuclear ecosystem to examine execution challenges, industrial capability, safety culture and alignment with international standards. Discussions reflected a shared recognition that India’s nuclear ambition has moved decisively from intent to delivery, with localisation and engineering excellence now central to success. 

The programme concluded with an invitation-only World Nuclear Association Networking Reception at the Novotel Goa, bringing together around 50 Indian and international nuclear professionals for informal dialogue and relationship-building alongside India Energy Week. 

A defining moment 

India Energy Week 2026 demonstrated the increasing importance of nuclear energy in India’s energy and industrial strategy. Effective policy implementation, strong supply chains and international cooperation will be central to delivering India’s ambitions and contributing to wider global nuclear expansion.