India has taken a significant step toward expanding its nuclear energy capacity by floating an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tender worth over ₹28,000 crore for the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP). The tender marks one of the largest EPC opportunities under the country’s indigenous nuclear power programme.
ASHVINI Invites Bids for Nuclear Island Package
Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam (ASHVINI), a joint venture between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) and NTPC Ltd., has invited bids for the Nuclear Island Mega EPC Package (NIMEP) for Units 1 to 4 of the Mahi Banswara project. According to the tender document, the contract covers engineering, design, manufacturing, supply, inspection, testing, transportation, civil construction, fabrication, erection, commissioning, and operation and maintenance of the nuclear island systems for the project.
Largest Indigenous Nuclear EPC Tender
Estimated at more than ₹28,000 crore, the package is the largest Nuclear Island EPC tender ever issued for India’s indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) programme. The comprehensive scope includes engineering, manufacturing, civil works, installation, testing, and commissioning support for four 700 MW electrical (MWe) PHWR units. These reactors form part of India’s indigenous IPHWR-700 technology platform, designed with advanced safety systems.
Part of India’s Fleet-Mode Nuclear Expansion
The Mahi Banswara project forms a key component of India’s fleet-mode nuclear expansion strategy, under which ten identical 700 MWe PHWRs are being developed using standardized designs and procurement processes. This approach is expected to reduce project timelines, improve cost efficiencies, and strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities. Earlier this week, NPCIL announced on its official X account that ASHVINI had released the tender for the four-unit nuclear power project in Rajasthan.
Boost to Domestic Manufacturing and Clean Energy
NPCIL stated that the project will significantly strengthen India’s indigenous nuclear manufacturing ecosystem while promoting advanced engineering and construction capabilities. Furthermore, it will create substantial business opportunities for Indian industries across equipment manufacturing, construction, engineering, and project execution. In addition, the project will support India’s transition to clean energy by adding reliable, low-carbon baseload electricity to the national grid.
Supporting India’s 2047 Nuclear Vision
The Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project aligns with India’s long-term objective of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. As the country accelerates investments in nuclear infrastructure, projects such as MBRAPP are expected to play a crucial role in enhancing energy security while reducing carbon emissions. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the project, with an estimated investment of around ₹42,000 crore, will comprise four indigenous 700 MWe IPHWR reactors equipped with advanced safety features, making it one of India’s largest nuclear power developments.
