Power cos brace up for nuclear rush
Electricity generators and equipment suppliers hope the govt would soon open up the sector for private firms.
By Anto T Joseph, TNN |
MUMBAI: Indian power majors are all set to foray into nuclear power generation. Electricity generators, such as Tata Power, Reliance Energy (REL) and NTPC, and equipment suppliers, such as ABB, Siemens and L&T , are hoping the Centre would soon open up the sector for their participation to beef up nuclear power generation , which has so far been a monopoly of public sector Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).
REL ED Lalit Jalan told ET the company was awaiting government nod. “We have a team in place, which is being headed by former NPCIL CMD VK Chaturvedi. We also have vendors ready to supply equipment,” said Mr Jalan.
A Tata Power spokesperson said the company has always been keen to enter the sector. A few months ago, on August 1, Tata Power chairman Ratan Tata had told the company’s AGM that the power generator would like to participate in alternative forms, including nuclear power. He had said Tata Consulting Engineers, with its alliances, has built expertise in design of nuclear reactors.
Apart from REL and Tata Power, India’s largest generation company NTPC has also announced its plans to enter the nuclear power sector. In fact, both REL and NTPC had earlier initiated talks with NPCIL to “explore possible ways” . NTPC’s initial plan includes setting up a 2,000 mw nuclear plant by 2017. According to NPCIL estimates , India could add 20,000-40 ,000 mw of nuclear power capacity over the next 10 years or so if private sector companies — both Indian and foreign — enter the sector.
Industry officials said REL has already held talks with international nuclear reactor builders, including GE and Atom Story Export of Russia, for a possible JV. It has carried out techno-economic viability of various advanced reactors from the US, France, Germany and Russia, apart from checking the viability of the indigenous heavy water reactors.
REL ED Lalit Jalan told ET the company was awaiting government nod. “We have a team in place, which is being headed by former NPCIL CMD VK Chaturvedi. We also have vendors ready to supply equipment,” said Mr Jalan.
A Tata Power spokesperson said the company has always been keen to enter the sector. A few months ago, on August 1, Tata Power chairman Ratan Tata had told the company’s AGM that the power generator would like to participate in alternative forms, including nuclear power. He had said Tata Consulting Engineers, with its alliances, has built expertise in design of nuclear reactors.
Apart from REL and Tata Power, India’s largest generation company NTPC has also announced its plans to enter the nuclear power sector. In fact, both REL and NTPC had earlier initiated talks with NPCIL to “explore possible ways” . NTPC’s initial plan includes setting up a 2,000 mw nuclear plant by 2017. According to NPCIL estimates , India could add 20,000-40 ,000 mw of nuclear power capacity over the next 10 years or so if private sector companies — both Indian and foreign — enter the sector.
Industry officials said REL has already held talks with international nuclear reactor builders, including GE and Atom Story Export of Russia, for a possible JV. It has carried out techno-economic viability of various advanced reactors from the US, France, Germany and Russia, apart from checking the viability of the indigenous heavy water reactors.
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