NPCIL, NALCO enter JV to set up atomic power plants

NEW DELHI: India's sole nuclear operator NPCIL today entered into a joint venture agreement with aluminium major NALCO for setting up nuclear power plants across the country.

The agreement was signed by S K Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, and B L Bagra, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, National Aluminium Company Limited at Mumbai.

NALCO, a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Mines, has more than 25 years experience in mining, alumina refining, power generation and aluminum smelting.

NPCIL at present operates 20 nuclear reactors with a total installed capacity of 4780 MW and six reactors with 4800 MW capacity are under construction.

NPCIL has entered into joint venture with National Thermal Power Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation for setting up nuclear power plants.

India has embarked on a massive expansion of its nuclear power installations and has plans to set up at least a dozen indigenously developed 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors across the country.