The Odisha government has granted in-principle approval to state-owned NTPC and Adani Power to conduct feasibility studies for proposed nuclear power projects at multiple locations in the state. No nuclear power plant has been sanctioned so far, with the proposals currently at the preliminary survey and feasibility assessment stage.
Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo informed the Odisha Assembly that NTPC had received permission to assess four potential locations. The company has selected a site near Deogarh for further action. The locations identified for NTPC’s assessment include Deogarh, Nayagarh and Nabarangpur, among others.
Adani Power has received in-principle approval to examine sites near the Balimela Dam in Malkangiri district and the Manjore Dam in Angul district. The company has proposed two nuclear power plants, each with a capacity of 2,800 MW, with an estimated investment of around ₹1.5 lakh crore.
The Odisha government had also received a proposal from Tata Power for a nuclear power project in the state. However, NTPC and Adani Power are the companies that have received approval for feasibility studies so far. Tata Power had expressed interest in a project in Malkangiri and identified Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat as potential states for nuclear projects.
The feasibility assessment for the proposed projects will involve factors including geology, seismicity, hydrology, environmental conditions, population density, emergency planning and safety requirements. Water availability is also a consideration for conventional nuclear power plants because of their cooling-water requirements.
The Balimela location includes an existing 510 MW hydroelectric station operated by Odisha Hydro Power Corporation. The Balimela reservoir is a joint project of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with the two states sharing its inflows.
India currently has 24 nuclear power plants in commercial operation, excluding the 100 MW RAPS-1, with an installed nuclear capacity of 8.78 GW. Nuclear power accounted for about 3.1% of India’s electricity generation in 2025-26. The Union government has set a target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
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