Archive · 22 Jan 2026
India's First Thorium Nuclear Power Plants
India is planning to build its first nuclear power plants that use thorium instead of uranium.
Thorium is a metal found naturally in the earth and has many advantages over uranium.
It is safer because it operates at normal atmospheric pressure, produces less radioactive waste, and is more abundant.
India has large deposits of thorium, which could make the country energy independent.
However, the technology is complex and still in the research phase.
If successful, these plants could provide affordable and clean energy for millions of people.
India is planning to build its first thorium-based nuclear power plants in Maharashtra.
Thorium is safer and produces less radioactive waste compared to uranium.
India has abundant thorium deposits, mainly in Kerala and Odisha.
The plants could generate 1,540 MW and 440 MW of electricity at 3.5 rupees per unit.
The technology is still in the research phase, with no large commercial thorium plants existing globally.
- Who
- India, specifically Maharashtra
- What
- Building thorium-based nuclear power plants
- When
- Planning phase, no specific timeline given
- Where
- Maharashtra, India
- Why
- To achieve energy independence, affordability, and environmental sustainability
- Location
- Maharashtra, India
- Planned Capacity
- 1,540 MW and 440 MW
- Expected Cost
- 3.5 rupees per unit
- Thorium Advantages
- Safer, less radioactive waste, more abundant
- Current Status
- Planning and research phase
- Global Status
- No large commercial thorium plants exist
- India's Thorium Deposits
- Coastal sands of Kerala and Odisha
- Technology Stage
- Working on stage two, planning stage three