NPCIL and Gujarat Government Sign Site-Identification MoU
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Gujarat government have signed a memorandum of understanding to identify sites for new nuclear power plants in the state, as reported by Construction World on 8 October 2026. No financial value, specific locations, capacity targets or timelines were disclosed in the available reporting.
The MoU adds a formal framework to what is already a significant NPCIL footprint in Gujarat. Projects India tracks 59 nuclear-based power projects across India, of which 10 are located in Gujarat — the joint-highest state count alongside Tamil Nadu and second only to Andhra Pradesh at 16.
NPCIL's Existing Gujarat Pipeline
The bulk of NPCIL's tracked Gujarat portfolio is concentrated at Mithivirdi, Bhavnagar, where six units across three phases are under development. Projects India records each of these units at Rs 60,000 crore and at the Under Approvals stage.
| Project | Promoter | Location | Value (Rs crore) | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mithivirdi NPP Phase I – Unit I | NPCIL | Bhavnagar, Gujarat | 60,000 | Under Approvals |
| Mithivirdi NPP Phase I – Unit II | NPCIL | Bhavnagar, Gujarat | 60,000 | Under Approvals |
| Mithivirdi NPP Phase II – Unit I | NPCIL | Bhavnagar, Gujarat | 60,000 | Under Approvals |
| Mithivirdi NPP Phase II – Unit II | NPCIL | Bhavnagar, Gujarat | 60,000 | Under Approvals |
| Mithivirdi NPP Phase III – Unit I | NPCIL | Bhavnagar, Gujarat | 60,000 | Under Approvals |
| Mithivirdi NPP Phase III – Unit II | NPCIL | Bhavnagar, Gujarat | 60,000 | Under Approvals |
The MoU to identify additional sites suggests NPCIL may be seeking locations beyond Mithivirdi for future capacity, though no specifics have been confirmed in available reporting.
National Stage Breakdown: Where Projects Stand
Across all 59 nuclear-based power projects that Projects India monitors, the stage distribution shows a pipeline weighted toward early and approval phases:
- Under Approvals: 24 projects
- Construction Started: 16 projects
- Early / Announced: 11 projects
- Planning: 8 projects
The large share of projects at the Under Approvals and Planning stages indicates that a significant volume of nuclear capacity is still working through regulatory and governmental clearance processes before civil or mechanical work can begin.
Geographic Spread of India's Nuclear Pipeline
State-level distribution of tracked nuclear projects underscores the concentration of activity in coastal and southern states, which have historically hosted nuclear infrastructure:
- Andhra Pradesh: 16 projects
- Gujarat: 10 projects
- Tamil Nadu: 10 projects
- Maharashtra: 10 projects
- Rajasthan: 4 projects
- Haryana: 4 projects
Gujarat's position as a joint-second state by project count — and the presence of the large Mithivirdi portfolio already in the approvals pipeline — gives context to why NPCIL has chosen the state as a partner for further site identification work. For broader context on India's power projects sector, see the Projects India sector overview.
What this means for suppliers and contractors
The MoU between NPCIL and Gujarat does not immediately open tendering opportunities — it is a site-identification agreement, not a construction award. However, it signals that NPCIL is actively seeking to expand its Gujarat footprint beyond the Mithivirdi pipeline, which itself comprises six units all at the Under Approvals stage.
Suppliers and contractors should note several practical implications:
- Civil and geotechnical firms with experience in nuclear-grade site assessment may find early engagement opportunities as site surveys progress.
- The six Mithivirdi units, each recorded at Rs 60,000 crore, represent the more immediate procurement horizon in Gujarat once approvals are secured.
- With 24 projects nationally sitting at the Under Approvals stage, the nuclear sub-sector could generate a material volume of construction and equipment contracts over the medium term as clearances are obtained.
- No open tenders in the power projects sector are currently listed on the Projects India platform, so active monitoring of the approvals pipeline remains the most effective way to anticipate procurement timelines.
Contractors already active on NPCIL projects — such as the Rs 23,502 crore Gorakhpur unit in Haryana currently at Construction Started stage — are best placed to track how the Gujarat site-identification process translates into formal project registrations. NPCIL is also advancing its 700 MW Rajasthan unit, where fuel loading has begun, illustrating the operator's parallel activity across multiple states.
Frequently asked questions
What did NPCIL and Gujarat agree to in their MoU?
NPCIL and the Gujarat government signed a memorandum of understanding to identify sites for new nuclear power plants in Gujarat, as reported on 8 October 2026. No specific locations, capacities or financial values were disclosed in available reporting.
How many nuclear power projects does NPCIL have in Gujarat?
Projects India tracks 10 nuclear-based power projects in Gujarat. Six of these are NPCIL-promoted units at Mithivirdi, Bhavnagar, each valued at Rs 60,000 crore and currently at the Under Approvals stage.
How many nuclear power projects are tracked across India?
Projects India tracks 59 nuclear-based power projects across India. Of these, 24 are at the Under Approvals stage, 16 are at Construction Started, 11 are at Early or Announced stage, and 8 are at Planning stage.
