In a landmark move for India's energy sector, Maharashtra has etched its name in history by becoming the first state in the country to formally enter the domain of nuclear power generation. The pivotal step was taken on Monday, November 17, 2025, when the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
The signing ceremony was held at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's official residence, 'Varsha' in Mumbai. The MoU was formally inked by Radhakrishnan B, Chairman and Managing Director of MAHAGENCO, and B C Pathak, Chairman and Managing Director of NPCIL.
A New Era for State-Led Nuclear Energy
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the transformative nature of this agreement. He stated that until now, the nuclear energy sector was primarily the domain of the Central government. This MoU marks a significant shift, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to make India an 'energy self-sufficient and clean-energy capable nation'.
"The country is developing rapidly, and the main foundation for this development is clean and reliable energy," Fadnavis said, emphasizing the policy's role in encouraging increased state participation.
Fueling the Data Centre Capital
CM Fadnavis stressed the critical timing and importance of this initiative, directly linking it to Maharashtra's economic ambitions. He pointed out that clean energy is the most crucial fuel for data centres, and Maharashtra is emerging as the 'Data Centre Capital' of India.
The state currently hosts approximately 50–60 per cent of the country's total data centre capacity, a figure that is consistently growing. This nuclear power partnership is poised to provide the reliable, 24/7 clean electricity required to sustain and expand this vital digital infrastructure.
"The state government will actively take the lead in this project and provide all necessary cooperation. This step taken by MAHAGENCO, the Energy Department, and MITRA is a historic and significant event in Maharashtra’s energy sector," the Chief Minister affirmed.
Roadmap for a Clean Energy Future
According to a press statement from the CM's office, this MoU is a key part of a larger national strategy. The power generation landscape is increasingly being dominated by renewables like solar and wind, alongside nuclear energy.
The statement outlined that India aims to become a '$30 trillion economy' by 2047, which demands major changes in the energy sector. To meet the soaring electricity demand and achieve the goal of 'Net-Zero Emissions by 2070', nuclear power is expected to play a vital role due to its ability to provide continuous electricity with low life-cycle CO2 emissions.
Currently, India operates 25 nuclear reactors across seven locations with a total installed capacity of 8,880 MW. The expansion plan is robust, with eight more reactors under construction, including a 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor. Furthermore, plans are underway for 10 additional reactors totaling 7,000 MW. The central government has also provisioned Rs 20,000 crore for the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
The high-profile event was attended by key officials including Aabha Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department; Praveen Pardeshi, CEO of Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA); and Aman Mittal, Joint CEO of MITRA, alongside other senior officials from MAHAGENCO and NPCIL.
