Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 11 November 2026 announced that the state is formulating a dedicated nuclear energy policy centred on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), signalling a major strategic pivot toward long-term energy security for India's most industrialised state. Speaking during a Diwali media interaction at his official residence, Varsha, in Mumbai, Fadnavis described nuclear energy and pumped storage hydro projects as non-negotiable pillars of Maharashtra's clean baseload power strategy.

The SMR Bet and What It Means

Fadnavis underlined the operational advantages of Small Modular Reactors — nuclear units designed to generate up to 300 MW — citing their compact footprint and reduced land requirement as key differentiators over conventional large-scale installations. 'The state will host both large-scale nuclear power projects and small modular reactors through private sector participation alongside state-owned ventures,' he stated.

He revealed that the Maharashtra government recently dispatched a delegation to the United States to study advanced SMR deployments — a move that underscores how seriously the state is treating next-generation nuclear as a viable near-term option, not a distant aspiration.

This policy groundwork follows a landmark step on 20 May 2026, when Maharashtra signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) targeting the generation of 25,400 MW of nuclear power, backed by a projected investment of ₹6.5 lakh crore. State generation utility Mahagenco is set to participate directly in nuclear generation alongside private enterprise partners.

Addressing Safety Concerns: The Tarapur Argument

Anticipating public opposition to nuclear installations, Fadnavis pointed to the Tarapur Atomic Power Station in Palghar as a credibility anchor. 'Tarapur has operated smoothly and safely for over four decades without incident,' he said, framing decades of incident-free operation as evidence that nuclear energy can coexist safely with surrounding communities.

Notably, Tarapur — one of India's oldest commercial nuclear plants — has long served as the benchmark whenever proponents defend nuclear expansion in Maharashtra. Its continued operation gives Fadnavis a tangible local reference point in what is typically an abstract public safety debate.

Pumped Hydro Storage and the Karjat Controversy

Fadnavis also mounted a defence of a proposed pumped hydro storage project in Karjat taluka, Raigad district, which has drawn criticism over tree felling along the Sahyadri mountain range. He explained that pumped storage operates on a closed-loop system — using off-peak solar power to pump water from lower reservoirs to upper dams, then releasing it to generate hydroelectricity during peak demand hours, with the same water volume recycled repeatedly.

'Once these projects are operational, citizens will realise their structural benefits,' Fadnavis said, adding that mandatory compensatory afforestation programmes enforced on project developers would restore local forest ecosystems. Critics, however, argue that compensatory afforestation rarely replaces the ecological value of mature forests cleared for infrastructure.

Data Centres: Digital Infrastructure as National Priority

Weighing in on the public debate over AI data centres proposed near Thane and Solapur's Ujani Dam, Fadnavis framed digital infrastructure as essential to national data sovereignty and economic competitiveness. To address environmental concerns, the state will mandate strict water and power efficiency benchmarks.

'Data centres in the Thane and Navi Mumbai belts will be required to utilise treated wastewater or desalinated seawater rather than diverting local municipal drinking water,' the Chief Minister said. He further indicated that as high-yield commercial enterprises, data centres would absorb higher power tariffs — effectively cross-subsidising utility rates for domestic and agricultural consumers.

Dismissing critics, Fadnavis remarked: 'Opposition to data centres stems either from misconceptions or pure political posturing. These projects are essential to modern national infrastructure, and we will ensure they operate efficiently without burdening public resources.' With Maharashtra positioning itself as India's data centre hub, the policy stance is a direct attempt to attract hyperscale investment while insulating the state from accusations of environmental negligence.

What Comes Next

Maharashtra's nuclear energy policy is still being formulated, and timelines for formal adoption have not been specified. The ₹6.5 lakh crore MoU pipeline, however, signals that stakeholder commitments are already being secured ahead of a formal policy framework — a sequencing that invites scrutiny over governance and regulatory readiness. All eyes will be on whether the Centre's evolving nuclear regulatory architecture keeps pace with the state's ambitions.