India needs green bonds, blended finance and export credit support for future-ready nuclear energy ecosystem: Report
New Delhi, June 22
India will require innovative financing mechanisms, including green bonds, blended finance and export credit support, to build a resilient and future-ready nuclear energy ecosystem and achieve its long-term clean energy ambitions, according to a joint report by KPMG and the US-India Business Council.
The report said India stands at a strategic inflection point in the development of its nuclear energy sector and has the potential to emerge as a global leader in nuclear power with the right mix of policy reforms, technological innovation and investment mobilisation.
According to the report, building a robust nuclear ecosystem will require coordinated efforts across financing, regulation, workforce development and international cooperation.
"To build a resilient and future-ready nuclear ecosystem, the report advocates for harmonisation of safety standards, joint research and development initiatives, and innovative financing mechanisms such as green bonds, blended finance, and export credit support," the report stated.
It added that these financing tools can help reduce investment risks, attract institutional capital and align nuclear projects with global sustainability objectives.
The report also stressed the importance of public engagement and transparent communication to build societal trust in nuclear energy, particularly on issues related to nuclear waste management and environmental safety.
A key challenge highlighted in the report is the need for a skilled workforce capable of supporting India's long-term nuclear expansion plans.
"The importance of a skilled workforce cannot be understated," the report said, adding that India needs a framework to train and hire skilled personnel who can safely construct and manage the targeted 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.
To achieve this goal, the report called for greater emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in India's premier universities. It also recommended cross-country collaborations to accelerate skill development among both the existing and future workforce.
In India, recently, significant policy reforms have been initiated in nuclear energy. The SHANTI Act was passed in December 2025, it acts as a major step toward opening India's nuclear sector to private participation.
The SHANTI Act enables private-sector participation in India's nuclear energy sector, subject to regulatory and licensing requirements.
The legislation repealed the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act of 2010, both of which had restricted private and foreign investment and created barriers to innovation and capital inflows.
The report said further legal and regulatory reforms would be necessary to unlock the full potential of nuclear energy in the country.
It added that India's nuclear ambitions can be realised through a coordinated policy push that combines legal reform, regulatory agility, financial innovation and international collaboration.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see focus on workforce development too. As someone from a STEM background, I can tell you our engineering colleges need serious revamping if we want to train nuclear specialists. 100 GW by 2047 is ambitious but achievable if we start now with proper curriculum and international exchanges.
Nuclear is the future, no doubt. But I'm a bit skeptical about the "harmonisation of safety standards" bit. We already have robust safety protocols at NPCIL. Hope this doesn't mean diluting our standards to attract foreign investment. Safety first, always. Also, waste management needs more concrete plans than just "public engagement."
Interesting report. As someone who's worked in renewable finance in the US, blended finance models have really helped de-risk solar and wind projects in emerging markets. Applying this to nuclear makes a lot of sense given the high upfront costs. India could become a test case for nuclear financing globally.
Let's not forget about the environmental safety concerns. I appreciate that the report mentions transparent communication on nuclear waste, but we need independent oversight, not just government assurances. Remember what happened with Bhopal? We need strict regulatory bodies that are truly autonomous. 🙏
This is excellent news for our energy security. With solar and wind being intermittent, nuclear provides that steady base load we desperately need. The SHANTI Act was a game-changer. Now the government must ensure these green bonds are accessible to retail investors too - let common citizens participate in our nuclear future! 💪
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.