Adani Group enters nuclear power sector after SHANTI Act
ECONOMY – ENERGY
14 FEBRUARY 2026
- The Adani Group has formally entered India’s nuclear power sector through a regulatory filing announcing the incorporation of Adani Atomic Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Power Limited.
- This marks the first major private power company in India to step into the nuclear energy space following the passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act (SHANTI Act) in December 2025.
What the SHANTI Act Changes
- Replaces the earlier Atomic Energy Act.
- Allows private companies to operate nuclear power plants in India.
- Permits joint ventures with foreign firms for technology collaboration.
- Opens a sector that was previously dominated by the government.
Political Controversy
- Manish Tewari questioned in Parliament whether the timing of the law was linked to Adani’s stated interest in nuclear power.
- Jairam Ramesh alleged that the SHANTI Act was rushed to favour the Adani Group.
India’s Nuclear Energy
- Current installed nuclear capacity: 8.8 GW
- Target over next decade: 32 GW
- Nuclear contributes roughly 3% of India’s total electricity generation
NTPC Limited (formerly National Thermal Power Corporation) is now officially known only by the acronym NTPC as it diversified beyond just thermal power generation into hydro, nuclear, solar, and renewable energy, as well as coal mining.
