Nuclear Energy to Fuel India’s AI Growth and Data Centres, Says Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted nuclear energy’s role in powering India’s AI economy, supporting data centres, achieving climate goals and strengthening long-term energy security.

Jitendra Singh Says Nuclear Energy Will Power India’s AI-Driven Future

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has emphasised the growing importance of nuclear energy in meeting India’s future electricity requirements, particularly as artificial intelligence (AI) applications and data centres expand. He said dependable, low-carbon electricity would be essential to support technological advancement and the country’s long-term development goals.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Bloomberg Economy Forum 2026, Singh also reiterated that India’s nuclear programme remains focused on peaceful applications and national development.

Nuclear Power to Support India’s Growing Electricity Demand

Singh highlighted the role of nuclear energy in building a reliable electricity system capable of supporting India’s expanding economy. As digital technologies become increasingly integrated into businesses and public services, demand for uninterrupted power is expected to grow.

Nuclear power can complement other energy sources by providing a continuous supply of electricity, helping meet demand when power consumption remains high around the clock.

The Minister linked the expansion of nuclear energy to India’s broader development priorities, including the growth of advanced technologies, stronger energy security and the transition towards a lower-carbon economy.

India Targets 100 GW of Nuclear Capacity by 2047

India has set a target of achieving 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047. The country is also pursuing its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070.

According to Singh, expanding nuclear energy could contribute to both ambitions by providing dependable electricity while supporting the transition towards cleaner energy sources.

Nuclear power is expected to complement renewable energy and other electricity sources as India works to meet rising consumption needs. Achieving the capacity target will require sustained investment, infrastructure development and continued progress in nuclear technology.

The expansion is also relevant to India's plans to strengthen domestic technological capabilities and establish a reliable energy foundation for future industries.

AI and Data Centres Need Reliable Power Infrastructure

Singh pointed to the increasing electricity requirements of AI systems and data centres, which need substantial amounts of power to operate computing infrastructure, process information and support digital services.

As India expands its AI capabilities, a stable electricity supply will become increasingly important for maintaining reliable operations. Interruptions in power availability can affect the performance and continuity of digital infrastructure.

Nuclear energy could help address these requirements by providing a consistent source of electricity. Its potential role is particularly relevant as businesses and institutions adopt more advanced computing technologies.

The Minister's remarks underline the connection between energy planning and India's ambitions to become a stronger participant in the global digital economy.

Homi Bhabha’s Vision Continues to Guide India’s Nuclear Programme

Singh also referred to the legacy of Dr. Homi Bhabha, the architect of India's nuclear programme. He said Bhabha's vision continued to guide the country's approach to using nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes.

India's nuclear programme has long been associated with national development, scientific research and the use of advanced technology to address domestic requirements.

The Minister reiterated that the country's nuclear capabilities are intended to support peaceful applications and contribute to economic and technological progress.

This approach places nuclear energy within a broader framework of scientific innovation, energy security and national development.

Jitendra Singh Highlights Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence

Beyond energy, Singh discussed the expanding role of artificial intelligence across different sectors. He described AI as a versatile technology with applications extending to areas such as space research, life sciences and other fields of scientific advancement.

However, he stressed that the benefits of AI depend on how effectively people understand and use the technology.

“One has to be intelligent enough to use Artificial Intelligence,” Singh said, highlighting the importance of human judgement when deploying AI-based systems.

His remarks emphasised that AI should support human decision-making rather than eliminate the need for critical thinking, accountability and responsible oversight.

Preventing AI Misuse Requires Integrity and Oversight

Singh acknowledged that although AI offers significant opportunities, preventing its misuse remains an important challenge.

He highlighted the need for safeguards and appropriate regulation while also stressing the importance of integrity at both individual and national levels.

Responsible AI adoption requires more than technological capabilities. It also involves ethical decision-making, accountability and efforts to ensure that emerging tools are used constructively.

As AI applications expand across industries and public services, balancing innovation with appropriate safeguards will remain important for building public confidence and maximising the technology's benefits.

Private Sector Participation to Strengthen Innovation

The Minister also highlighted the government's decision to open certain critical and sensitive sectors to non-government participants.

Greater private sector involvement can create additional opportunities for investment, research, innovation and technological development. Collaboration between government institutions, private companies and scientific organisations may also help strengthen India's domestic capabilities.

Singh indicated that broader participation in these sectors could contribute to national development by encouraging new ideas and supporting the growth of advanced technologies.

Combined with reliable energy infrastructure and responsible AI adoption, private investment could play an important role in supporting India's long-term economic ambitions.

Conclusion

Jitendra Singh has highlighted nuclear energy as a potential pillar of India's AI-driven future, particularly as data centres and advanced computing increase electricity demand. The country's 100 GW nuclear capacity target by 2047 and net-zero ambition for 2070 reflect its broader energy and climate priorities. Alongside reliable power, responsible AI use and greater private sector participation are expected to remain important to India's technological and economic development.