New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stated that India is swiftly advancing work on ten new nuclear reactors and has committed to increasing its nuclear energy capacity tenfold.

In his address to the nation on the 79th Independence Day from the ramparts of the Red Fort, he said that India is undertaking significant initiatives in the field of nuclear energy, keeping future energy requirements in mind.

“Work is progressing rapidly on ten new nuclear reactors, and we have pledged to increase our nuclear energy capacity tenfold by 2047... We are implementing major reforms in the nuclear energy sector,” he said.

“In the energy sector, it is well known that we remain heavily dependent on several countries for our needs—whether it be petrol, diesel, or gas... We spend billions of rupees on imports. It is vital that the country becomes self-reliant in this regard,” Modi emphasised.

The Prime Minister noted that over the past 11 years, India’s solar energy capacity has increased thirtyfold.

“We are constructing new dams to expand hydropower generation and make clean energy more widely available,” he added.

He also highlighted that India is investing thousands of crores of rupees in its National Hydrogen Mission.

Climate target achieved five years early

While the world expresses concern over global warming, India has achieved its ambitious climate target of sourcing 50 per cent of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources five years ahead of schedule, the PM noted.

During his Independence Day address, he stated, “At a time when the world is deeply concerned about global warming, India had set itself the target of increasing the share of clean energy in its total installed power capacity to 50 per cent by 2030.

“Such is the capability and determination of my fellow citizens that the target we had set for 2030 has already been met in 2025 — five years ahead of schedule. We are as sensitive to global concerns as we are committed to our responsibilities towards nature.”

As of 30 June 2025, India’s total installed electricity capacity stood at 484.8 GW, of which 242.8 GW — or 50.08 per cent — came from non-fossil sources, including renewables, large hydropower, and nuclear energy.

PTI