New Delhi/ Houston: The Union Power Minister Manohar Lal has discussed India’s nuclear energy expansion plans and the rapidly growing electricity requirements of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and data centres with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
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The two leaders met in Houston on Tuesday on the sidelines of the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial, according to the Power Minister’s office.
The discussions focused on India’s power infrastructure requirements for emerging technology-intensive sectors, including AI, high-performance computing and data centres. India’s roadmap for expanding nuclear power capacity was also discussed.
The two sides also explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in clean energy, resilient energy infrastructure and emerging technologies.
The talks come as India seeks to significantly expand nuclear power capacity, with a target of reaching 100 GW by 2047. The expansion has also attracted interest from US companies looking at investment and technology opportunities in the Indian nuclear energy sector.
India last year enacted the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act, or SHANTI Act, opening the traditionally tightly controlled nuclear sector to private participation.
The India-US energy engagement is also taking place against the backdrop of changing global energy trade flows. India has increased purchases of liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas from the United States as disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict constrain supplies from some traditional Gulf suppliers, according to data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler.
Earlier, addressing the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial, Lal highlighted India’s efforts to build a more secure and resilient energy system.
During a session on “Energy Security and Affordable Baseload,” the minister said India’s installed power generation capacity has reached 552 GW, with non-fossil sources accounting for more than 50 percent.
He also highlighted progress in solar energy, storage, nuclear power and access to clean cooking fuels.
Lal said India favours technology-neutral and inclusive pathways for meeting energy needs, while strengthening international cooperation through initiatives including the International Solar Alliance, One Sun One World One Grid and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
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In a separate discussion on “Permitting and Regulatory Efficiency,” Lal highlighted reforms aimed at speeding up project approvals and improving regulatory predictability.
He cited digital platforms including the National Single Window System, PARIVESH and PM Gati Shakti as measures being used to streamline approvals and infrastructure planning.
The minister said efficient permitting would be critical to delivering energy and other infrastructure projects on time, and called for greater G20 cooperation in capacity building and regulatory modernisation.
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