Bihar to get its first nuclear power plant as part of national SMR rollout

The announcement comes ahead of assembly election in Bihar and comes after a meeting of eastern region power ministers, which included representatives from Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

He confirmed that the Centre had accepted Bihar’s request for a nuclear plant, stating: “If the Bihar government sets up a nuclear power plant, the Central Government is fully prepared to provide support.” Khattar added that Bihar had formally requested such a facility and the Centre would assist in its establishment. Details regarding the site and scale of the plant are expected to be finalised in the coming stages of project development.

Announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 with a Rs 20,000 crore allocation, the Nuclear Energy Mission aims at expanding clean and reliable nuclear power across the country and strengthen regional energy security.

“The government’s goal is to set up at least one nuclear power plant in every state to ensure the country’s energy security,” the Union Power Minister said adding: “As the country’s growth rate increases, so does electricity demand. Nuclear power is a reliable, sustainable, and long-term energy option.”

SMRs are a newer generation of nuclear technology designed to be more flexible and cost-effective than traditional large-scale reactors, experts say. They can be deployed in smaller grids and are considered safer due to their advanced design.

Khattar also said that the government has prepared a comprehensive power vision for 2035, covering thermal, solar, wind, storage, and nuclear energy projects. The decision is part of a broader policy effort to diversify India’s energy mix and address rising electricity demand with advanced nuclear technology.

For Bihar, which has historically struggled with power deficits and infrastructure challenges, the project represents a significant shift. Officials say the plant could help provide a more stable electricity supply and support the state’s industrial ambitions.

Alongside the nuclear plant, the Centre has also approved a 1,000 MW battery storage capacity project in Bihar, aimed at enhancing grid stability and supporting renewable energy integration. The government will provide viability gap funding of Rs 18 lakh per MW for this initiative.

This focus on battery storage comes just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Siwan on June 20, laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Bihar.

Union Power Minister Khattar, while making the SMR announcement, also praised the Bihar government for its recent progress in the power sector, noting the installation of eight million smart meters and a significant reduction in technical and commercial losses.

“Bihar was lagging behind in power sector but it has done a considerably good job,” he added. The Union minister further assured that, in recognition of these reforms, the Centre has agreed to supply Bihar with an additional 500 MW of electricity for the next six months to help meet peak summer demand, and that states facing power shortages would be provided adequate supply from the central quota.