News Highlights
In between delay in India – Russia nuclear deal delay due to Ukraine war the India – France nuclear deal sees progress.
Focus Points
- The Department of Atomic Energy is actively examining a binding techno-commercial offer submitted by the French state-owned power company to help build six third-generation EPR (European Pressurized Water Reactors) reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtra.
French Supported Nuclear Project
- The Jaitapur nuclear project is part of an umbrella nuclear deal signed with France in September 2008.
- Jaitapur nuclear project
- it would be the largest nuclear power generating site in the country with a total capacity of 9,900 MWe
- one of the biggest-ever export deals for the French side.
- Reasons led to implementing the project
- slowdown in nuclear projects
- Fear about nuclear projects after the Fukushima incident
- Nuclear project are costlier in implementation
Russian Supported Nuclear Project
- At present, Russia is the only country setting up imported Light Water Reactor-based nuclear projects in India, despite the fruition of international cooperation in nuclear energy well over a decade ago.
- Russia has been involved in the project at the Kudankulam site under a pact signed in 1998, with 2000 MWe of capacity – Units 1&2 (2X1000 MWe) currently in operation.
- Work is being launched for four more reactors: Units 3 to 6 (KKNPP 3&4 and KKNPP 5 & 6, 4X1000 MWe).
American Supported Nuclear Project
- Alongside the French, discussion on project proposals with technology partners from the US for Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh (6 X 1208 MWe) is still work in progress.
India – France Nuclear Deal
- In 1950, the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) offered India technical assistance in civil nuclear innovation, which the two countries accepted in 1951 when they signed a bilateral agreement “for the research and building of beryllium-moderated reactors.”
- Following India’s peaceful nuclear explosion in 1974, France was the only Western country to praise the event, praising it as a sign of India’s progress in the nuclear field.
- In addition, in 2008, India and France inked a historic deal on civil nuclear cooperation.
India – Russia Nuclear Deal
- In the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Russia is a key partner for India. It acknowledges India as a country with superior nuclear technology and a flawless nonproliferation record.
- The Strategic Vision for Strengthening Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy was signed in 2014 by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Russia’s Rosatom.
- India’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being built with Russian assistance.
- In addition, Russia has long supported India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
- During 2014 and 2015, important nuclear energy agreements were finalized, including the construction of at least 12 nuclear power units over the next two decades and “localization of manufacture” for nuclear power plants.
Nuclear Power Plants in India
Content Source : Indian Express