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The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) plans to nearly double India’s nuclear power capacity in the next five years, according to Atomic Energy Commission chairman and DAE secretary, AK Mohanty. We are expanding our nuclear reactor capacity, with units of 220 megawatt, 500 megawatt, and now 700 megawatt. These 700-megawatt reactors will continue to be integrated into our energy grid. Currently, India's total nuclear power capacity stands at approximately 8.2 gigawatts. In the next five years, we aim to nearly double this figure to close to 14 gigawatts. By 2031-32, our goal is to reach between 20 and 22 gigawatt. Our long-term vision is to achieve at least 100 gigawatt of nuclear capacity by 2047, Mohanty said during a press conference at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya. The announcement came during the 35th annual general meeting of the Materials Research Society of India and the International Union of Materials Research Societies - International Conference in Asia (IUMRS-ICA) 2024, held in Indore. While Mohanty emphasized that India has the necessary technologies and expertise for this ambitious plan, he also pointed out challenges in land acquisition and the consistent supply of components from domestic industries. We are confident about our technology, but land acquisition and industry support for repetitive component manufacturing are the key hurdles we face, he said. Despite these challenges, DAE remains focused on its nuclear power expansion efforts and the development of advanced reactor technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and high-temperature reactors. These advanced reactors are expected to provide efficient power generation solutions, as well as meet the energy needs of industries that require dedicated power sources. The idea of captive nuclear power plants is gaining traction, where small reactors could be deployed in energy-intensive sectors like cement and steel manufacturing, providing them with exclusive energy solutions. Mohanty also highlighted the promising intersection between nuclear energy and green hydrogen production. Nuclear energy can provide both green electricity and high-temperature steam, both of which are essential for producing carbon-free hydrogen, he said. The DAE is actively exploring methods such as electrolysis and chemical reactions to produce hydrogen without carbon emissions, contributing to India’s growing hydrogen economy. Additionally, the ongoing collaboration between the DAE and various academic institutions was discussed at the conference. Through the UGC-DAE Consortium, over 500 students from across India are gaining hands-on experience with state-of-the-art facilities, contributing to groundbreaking research in nuclear physics, material science, and energy systems. Institutions like Indore’s RRCAT play a key role in these initiatives. The event, organized by the UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research (UGC-DAE CSR) in Indore, is set to run until December 6, with nearly 700 delegates from around the world participating. The inaugural session was presided over by Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, chairman of UGC, with Mohanty as the chief guest and Prof. Indranil Manna, President of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, serving as the guest of honor.