The Odisha government is in talks with NTPC Ltd and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to establish nuclear power plants in the state, Principal Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev has said. According to Dev, deliberations are underway to form a joint venture with NTPC and NPCIL. The state views the initiative as a significant opportunity to secure a clean and reliable source of base-load power for the future, he noted during an interaction. He further stated that NTPC is currently conducting the required studies, and once these are completed, we will have a firm proposal ready.
NTPC, NPCIL, and the state government are collaborating on the project, Dev said, adding that the structure of the joint ventures, whether separate JVs with each entity or a combined arrangement, is still under discussion and yet to be finalised. “Nuclear energy sites will adhere to all safety regulations; however, any concerns from the community may still arise. Addressing and alleviating these apprehensions will therefore be crucial,” he added.
Thorium Reserves
Odisha holds significant reserves of thorium, a vital mineral central to the country’s Stage-II nuclear energy programme. This resource is seen as a major opportunity and a key component in shaping the future of energy, according to Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister for Energy, Agriculture, and Farmer Empowerment in Odisha. He stated that Odisha has a comprehensive energy landscape and is welcoming towards the development of nuclear energy. He also added that the state has untapped resources that need to be leveraged through central government policies.
