indian nuclear energy and recent developments

India nuclear energy and developments

India international co-operation

India has been offering training facilities fellowships, scientific visits etc and make available the services of scientists for expert assignments both through IAEA and countries with which we have entered into bi-lateral agreements for co-operation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. India consciously choose the slower and harder path of development aim at self reliance. The strategy of our program was based on development of a cadre of scientists and engineers in our R&D institutions which grew gradually with development of indigenous know -how in  various fields.

While resorting to imports of technology we did so on selective basis channelized through  R&D. We took care not only to fully assimilate this technology  but to adopt it to our own  conditions and requirements and further diversifying and improve upon it without resorting to repeated imports of technology.

In formulating strategy for nuclear development we had to take into accounts that while our uranium reserves are rather limited, our thorium reserves are amongst largest in the world. We chalked out a program which was not based on model of western countries but tailored to our own conditions. We continue development of natural uranium fuelled reactors not only because of our preference for reactor system which can be operated on indigenous resources and technology but also because the uranium utilization is more efficient and large quantities of plutonium can be produced in such reactors.

A stage has now been reached when it is possible to plan for quantum jump in nuclear capacity in view of availability of inadequate uranium and expertise developed in setting  up plants for nuclear fuel heavy water, spent  fuel reprocessing and waste management and most important of all the capability of local industry .

India is now among few countries which can build power reactor. India’s. other  major achievements including designing building and commissioning U-233 reactors.

In context the future energy requirements for industrial growth nuclear energy assume great importance in providing a viable solution.

In India following projects are under consideration or under implementation with international co-operation .

. Toshiba-Westing  House   AP series reactors .
. GE-Hitachi ABWR reactor series
. Areva -1650  M.W. e  European pressurized reactors
. Russia - WER reactors

These projected to be deployed at five coastal sites under proposal . The nuclear deals under final negotiations are mentioned below.

Russian plant details. 

However after delegation level talks in two days ago between prime minister Manmohn Singh and visiting Russian president Dmitri Medvedev the two sides did sign an agreement to expand nuclear energy. The two sides discussed setting two additional units - Kundankulam 3 and 4 but there was no agreement for these as was expected earlier. With exception of Kundankulam 1and 2 all future projects will come under purview of liability law. The two sides optimistic saying  the deal For Kundankulam 3 and 4 could materialize in few months. The government has also decided to allot one more site to Russia for reactor  building apart from Haripur. 

Jaithapur - French collaboration project.

Sovereign guarantee for Jaithapur nuclear project .

Total deal size is expected to be around 9.2 billion dollars. The French line credit for two European pressurized  reactors (EPR) of NPCIL at Jaithapur in Maharashtra will come along with sovereign guarantees  from French and Indian  governments. The extent of guarantee will depend on what portion of cost for French credit will cover.

While NPCIL (nuclear power corporation India limited )  will buy two reactors from French major Areva. The department of Atomic Energy will sign a separate agreement with company for supply of uranium. The total deal size is expected to be around Euro 7 billion (9.2 billion dollars ). “ NPCIL will access export credit for imported  components of reactors. The loan will become with French government guarantee from and also sovereign guarantee from India. It will have lower interest rate.” Areva India chairman and managing director Arthur de Montalembert told in a press conference. He clarified the financing deal is being negotiated between NPCIL and consortium of French institutions separately.

A senior  NPCIL executive committed the company would avail sovereign guarantee from Indian government for funding the deal. “ the supply of Russian reactors from Kundankulam in Tamilnadu  85 per cent funding from Russian institutions. The French will be similar “ he added.

“The interest rates and other terms of agreement for French deal would be governed by organizations of Economic Co-operation and development norms. OECD norms stipulate that minimum interest rates would be applicable for officially supported export credits. Under the agreement the commercial interest reference rates (CIRRs) are fixed for each currency of the participants to arrangement. CIRRs are set to on 15th of every month. The rate will be base rate for credit along with a bank commission “ said the executive. 

Areva and NPCIL would sign about dozen contracts to finalize the deal in about six months. Areva  chief executive officer Anne Lauvergeon  had earlier in this month said NPCIL deal was worth about Euro 7 billion including two reactors and uranium supply for 25 years and two sides were in the process of tying up funds pending  certain issues. “ the interest rates have to be fixed as they would determine the electricity rates “  she had said.

It is very welcoming news that French and Russian nuclear deals will make full-fledged  reality  for  development of nuclear energy in India  in addition technology development. .