New Delhi, November 10, 2025: Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom announced on Monday that technical specifications are being developed for a new nuclear power plant in India featuring VVER-1200 advanced reactors, highlighting the deepening nuclear energy cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi.

The announcement followed a meeting in Mumbai between Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Discussions focused on bilateral collaboration in nuclear energy, including progress on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, India’s largest nuclear facility and a flagship project in Russia–India energy cooperation.

New Nuclear Plant with VVER-1200 Reactors

According to Rosatom, “relevant organisations are currently developing technical specifications for a new nuclear power plant in India featuring VVER-1200 reactor units.” The VVER-1200 is a high-capacity, next-generation pressurized water reactor, and the serial construction of such units represents a key area of cooperation between the two countries.

While details on the new plant, including its location and timeline, were not disclosed, the announcement signals a continuation of long-standing discussions for a second nuclear power project in India.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and New Cooperation Areas

The two sides also discussed new areas of nuclear cooperation, including the potential deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) of Russian design. SMRs, which are compact, factory-fabricated reactors, can provide clean electricity to remote regions with limited grid access and individual industrial sites.

Rosatom noted that in April 2024, it had shared information with Indian partners about floating nuclear power solutions, another technology suitable for decentralised energy supply.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant: Progress and Expansion

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, a key symbol of Indo-Russian energy partnership, currently operates Units 1 and 2, which were connected to India’s power grid in 2013 and 2016, supplying electricity to southern India.

• Unit 3: Pre-commissioning activities are underway, including testing of safety systems.
• Unit 4: Construction, installation, and equipment deliveries continue.
• Units 5 and 6 (Third Phase): Actively under construction.

The meeting also explored broader partnership opportunities, such as localisation of nuclear equipment production in India, projects for large and small-scale nuclear plants, and cooperation across the nuclear fuel cycle.

Fuel and Efficiency Enhancements

Rosatom’s nuclear fuel company, TVEL, supplies India with advanced TVC-2M fuel for Kudankulam, which allows 18-month fuel cycles, improving economic efficiency over the traditional 12-month cycle.

Likhachev emphasized the longstanding Indo-Russian partnership in nuclear energy, stating, “We have built an effective interaction system and a reliable supply chain, which now serve as the basis for further development of new projects — whether for large or small-scale power plants.” He added that Russia is ready to support India’s goal of raising nuclear generation capacity to 100 GW through proven and efficient technologies.

Outlook

The development of VVER-1200 reactors and potential SMRs underscores India’s ongoing commitment to expanding clean and reliable nuclear power while leveraging international expertise. The partnership with Russia is set to play a critical role in enhancing India’s nuclear infrastructure, advancing safety standards, and ensuring energy security in the coming decades.