India faces talent and funding hurdles in 100 GW nuclear expansion goal

India aims to expand its nuclear power capacity from the current 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047, a goal that faces significant hurdles in workforce development and financing. Industry leaders and officials have identified a critical shortage of specialized talent, ranging from entry-level technicians to high-level research and development professionals, due to limited specialized academic programs.

To address the talent gap, NITI Aayog has formed a committee to examine ways to build nuclear expertise. Meanwhile, the private sector is beginning to invest in training, such as certification programs conducted by France-based EDF to strengthen the domestic supply chain.

Financial constraints also pose a challenge. Current sovereign green bond frameworks and green deposit regulations do not explicitly include nuclear investments, which may hinder capital mobilization. Experts suggest that reviewing these frameworks is necessary to attract the estimated ₹17.5 lakh crore ($210 billion) required for this expansion. Following a policy shift last year that opened the nuclear sector to private players, global institutions like the World Bank are exploring ways to support nuclear investments as part of low-carbon energy strategies.