Tata Consulting Engineers, the country’s largest private sector engineering and project consultancy firm, is growing at a robust 24-25% y-o-y, focusing on sectors like energy, transportation and others. Amit Sharma, MD and CEO, talks to Raghavendra Kamath about the future of nuclear energy and the company’s growth strategy. Edited excerpts:
After the government push for private participation in nuclear energy, do you think companies have been actively pursuing it?
I have been interacting with almost every interested player in India. There are six to seven conglomerates and few others exploring this space, and they have been interacting with us. I think there is a strong interest in terms of commercial and business proposition, and the fact that it provides base load continuity and clean energy.
ALSO READIndia’s salary growth to slow in 2025? – Here’s what an HR survey reveals
The sector was completely and exclusively government-controlled until now. The main challenge for private companies is liability, insurance and project timelines. Private companies entering this sector want to ensure they are protected against any risks. The first priority is having a proper insurance coverage for both existing and future liabilities, which is crucial for their participation. This is a valid concern globally — any private player entering this sector would want safeguards.
As things stand, the law does not yet allow private sector participation, though the government has promised changes in the upcoming monsoon session. Companies are evaluating multiple aspects —business viability, return on investment and even potential reputational risks.
A major concern is Clause 46 of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010, which imposes unlimited liability. This is currently under consideration for revision to align with global standards.
Can nuclear energy play a meaningful role in meeting the country’s rising power demand?
I absolutely believe in it. For instance, solar energy requires 5-6 acres per megawatt, but cannot provide a base load. But yes, its infrastructure can be built rapidly. However, whether it is truly carbon-neutral is debatable because manufacturing solar panels and cells has a significant carbon footprint. Wind energy faces similar issues. It’s not really providing base load and the true carbon footprint analysis is not really positive either. The two most sustainable energy sources are hydro and nuclear. Hydropower strategies, including pumped storage projects (PSPs) and mini/macro hydro projects,
» Read More
