Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Modi Defends Nuclear Expansion, Challenges Critics Over Clean Energy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India should produce more nuclear power.
He argued that nuclear energy is a clean energy source.
Modi criticized people who speak about protecting nature but challenge nuclear projects in court.
India wants to raise its nuclear power capacity greatly by 2047.
The country is also expanding wind, hydropower, electric vehicles and green hydrogen.
Modi said India’s wind energy capacity has tripled over the past 12 years.
He also said nearly 25 lakh electric vehicles were sold last year.
He argued that India’s carbon emissions per person are below the global average.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended India’s nuclear expansion at an environment and climate conference in New Delhi.
Modi said critics who advocate environmental protection sometimes file court cases to stop nuclear projects.
India aims to increase nuclear capacity from 8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047.
The government is pursuing small modular reactors, renewable energy, clean mobility and green hydrogen.
Modi said India’s wind capacity tripled in 12 years and nearly 25 lakh electric vehicles were sold last year.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and critics of India’s nuclear energy projects.
- What
- Modi defended expanding nuclear power alongside renewable energy and criticized legal opposition to nuclear projects.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not specify the calendar date.
- Where
- An international environment and climate conference in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The government is pursuing nuclear and other clean-energy technologies to expand power capacity and support environmental goals.
Environmental and Project Critics
Indian Government and Nuclear Supporters
Nuclear project opposition
Environmental and Project Critics
Critics described by Modi have taken nuclear-related disputes to court to try to stop projects.
Indian Government and Nuclear Supporters
Modi argues that nuclear power is part of India’s clean-energy expansion and should not be blocked.
Climate responsibility
Environmental and Project Critics
The criticism focuses on environmental protection and concerns linked to energy projects.
Indian Government and Nuclear Supporters
Modi says developed countries emit six times more carbon per person than India and that India’s per-capita emissions remain below half the global average.
- Current nuclear capacity
- 8.8 GW
- Nuclear capacity target
- 100 GW by 2047
- Small modular reactor target
- At least five operational units by 2033
- Wind energy growth
- Capacity has tripled in the last 12 years
- Electric vehicle sales
- Nearly 25 lakh vehicles were sold last year
- Per-capita emissions
- India’s contribution is less than half the global average, according to Modi
- Hydrogen train
- India’s first hydrogen train recently ran, according to Modi