India to set up 6 nuclear power reactors in Maharashtra

NEW DLHI: India has decided to work a mega project to set up six new European Pressurised Nuclear Power Reactors (NPRs) at Jaitapur in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra by joint collaboration to enhance the generation of electricity from nuclear plants in the country. In connection with this project, a French delegation, led by Cherysoula Zacharopoulou-the Minister of State for Development met the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science and Technology and Space and Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday during the current India visit.

Department of Atomic Energy through an official statement said that Cherysoula Zacharopoulou, accompanied by a high-level French delegation, discussed over Indo-French collaboration in Nuclear Energy with the Indian counterpart. 

“The two sides discussed ways to speed up the setting up of the nuclear power reactors. Emmanuel Lenain- Ambassador of France to India and other French officials including Thomas Mieusset-nuclear counsellor, also joined the deliberations”, the department of atomic energy said.  

It was also stated that the Indian government has already accorded approval in-principle for setting up six nuclear reactors of 1650 MW each in technical cooperation with France with a total capacity of 9900 MW power generation as part of an umbrella nuclear deal, signed with France in September 2008.

“The French company EDF last year submitted to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd its bidding techno-commercial offer to build six European Pressurised Reactors (APRs) at Jaitpur”, said the official statement, adding further that a high-level from EDF had already visited India and done detailed discssuion with NPCIL officials.

During a talk with France minister, Dr Singh assured that all technical, financial and civil nuclear liability issues will be resolved at the earliest before the scheduled visit of French President Emmanuel Macron in early 2023. 

“The France Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire is also scheduled to visit India by the middle of December this year”, said the official statement of Department of Atomic Energy.

 Both sides also reaffirmed the commitment to the success of the strategic Jaitpur EPR project for access to reliable, affordable and low-carbon energy and agreed to sort out the pending issues.

Sources said that the NPCIL would be entrusted with the task of construction and commissioning of units as well as obtaining all necessary permits and clearance in India as the owner and future operator of these plants.

 In India, functional nuclear power plants have generated so far 755 billion units of electricity saving 650 million tons of CO2 emission. The minister during the discussion that the present nuclear power capacity of 6780 MW is planned to be increased to 22480 MW by 2031 on progressive completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction.

NEW DLHI: India has decided to work a mega project to set up six new European Pressurised Nuclear Power Reactors (NPRs) at Jaitapur in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra by joint collaboration to enhance the generation of electricity from nuclear plants in the country. In connection with this project, a French delegation, led by Cherysoula Zacharopoulou-the Minister of State for Development met the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science and Technology and Space and Atomic Energy Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday during the current India visit. Department of Atomic Energy through an official statement said that Cherysoula Zacharopoulou, accompanied by a high-level French delegation, discussed over Indo-French collaboration in Nuclear Energy with the Indian counterpart.  “The two sides discussed ways to speed up the setting up of the nuclear power reactors. Emmanuel Lenain- Ambassador of France to India and other French officials including Thomas Mieusset-nuclear counsellor, also joined the deliberations”, the department of atomic energy said.   It was also stated that the Indian government has already accorded approval in-principle for setting up six nuclear reactors of 1650 MW each in technical cooperation with France with a total capacity of 9900 MW power generation as part of an umbrella nuclear deal, signed with France in September 2008. “The French company EDF last year submitted to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd its bidding techno-commercial offer to build six European Pressurised Reactors (APRs) at Jaitpur”, said the official statement, adding further that a high-level from EDF had already visited India and done detailed discssuion with NPCIL officials. During a talk with France minister, Dr Singh assured that all technical, financial and civil nuclear liability issues will be resolved at the earliest before the scheduled visit of French President Emmanuel Macron in early 2023.  “The France Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire is also scheduled to visit India by the middle of December this year”, said the official statement of Department of Atomic Energy.  Both sides also reaffirmed the commitment to the success of the strategic Jaitpur EPR project for access to reliable, affordable and low-carbon energy and agreed to sort out the pending issues. Sources said that the NPCIL would be entrusted with the task of construction and commissioning of units as well as obtaining all necessary permits and clearance in India as the owner and future operator of these plants.  In India, functional nuclear power plants have generated so far 755 billion units of electricity saving 650 million tons of CO2 emission. The minister during the discussion that the present nuclear power capacity of 6780 MW is planned to be increased to 22480 MW by 2031 on progressive completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction.