Coastal states set to get nuclear power

MUMBAI: Almost all coastal states will have atomic power plants once the Indo-US civil nuclear deal is signed and the Nuclear Power Corporation is identifying sites for setting up projects in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat and West Bengal that will generate over 30,000 MW.

Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu already has two 1,000 MW Russian plants and four more plants with the same capacity are expected to be added once the Indo-US deal is inked.

Jaitapur in Maharashtra has been cleared for the setting up of six 1,650 MW plants using European Power Reactors from the French company Areva, Nuclear Power Corporation Chairman S K Jain told media.

No coastal site has been identified in Karnataka as the state government is satisfied with the inland site at Kaiga, where four indigenous 220 MW plants have been set up. Kerala is perhaps the only coastal state where there may not be any nuclear plant, Jain said.

With the possibility of 40 billion dollars being invested in the nuclear power sector in the next 10 to 15 years once the Indo-US deal becomes a reality, Indian industries are likely to benefit from spin-offs, he said.

Leading global reactor manufacturers like White Westinghouse, Areva, General Electric, Rosatom and Siemens have indicated their intention to invest in the country during frequent visits by their officials to India, Jain said.