Nuclear Power in India

[Indx TechStyle]

Kudankulam Unit 2 capacity being increased for grid synchronisation

NEW DELHI: The power generation capacity of the second 1,000 MW unit at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) is being increased for its further synchronisation with India's national grid, a KNPP source said on Saturday.

"The second unit is currently at the power start-up stage. During this stage, the capacity of Unit 2 will be gradually increased for further synchronisation with the grid," the source told IANS over telephone.

"A unit is usually connected to the grid at 30 per cent capacity level and synchronisation proceeds on the subsequent attainment of 100 per cent capacity level," he said.

"The second unit might be synchronised with the national grid by August-end," the source added.

India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board this week gave clearance for increasing the power supply from the second unit at KNPP.

Unit 1 of the KNPP being built by Russia's atomic energy corporation Rosatom was dedicated to the nation earlier this month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Rosatom's Vice-President (Projects) in South Asia Andrey Lebedev had said over the phone earlier this week that "unit 2 is scheduled for synchronisation with the Southern Grid for August 27-28".

The second unit at Kudankulam went critical last month when the stage of physical start-up was completed successfully, and it is expected to be commissioned later this year.

KNPP site director R.S. Sundar told visiting journalists last week that "Unit 1 has so far generated 10,900 million units of electricity since its synchronisation with the Southern Grid following the reactor's criticality on July 13, 2013."

"We have recently completed 175 days of continuous operation of Unit 1 and its performance is excellent," he added.

On the day of dedicating Unit 1 to the nation on August 10, Modi said five more 1,000 MW units would be built at Kudankulam with Russian partnership.

In this connection, Russia has offered India a new range of reactor units -- the VVER-Toi (typical optimised, enhanced information) design -- for the third and fourth units.

An agreement between India and Russia was signed in December 2008 for setting up Kudankulam's units 3 to 6. The ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of units 3 and 4 was performed earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Modi on Saturday reaffirmed India's time-tested ties with Moscow when Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin called on him here.

"He recalled his recent meeting with President Putin in Tashkent in June and via video-link for dedication of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 at the beginning of this month," a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office here said.

On his part, Rogozin conveyed Putin's greetings to Modi and briefed him on the progress in ongoing projects between India and Russia, it added.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Kudankulam NPP performance lauded
Unit 1 of Kudankulam nuclear power plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu state in south India was dedicated to the nation on August 10, 2016. RIR spoke with Indian and Russian specialists to find out about the plant`s performance and bilateral ties in the field of nuclear energy.

Kudankulam NPP is incorporating the largest power unit in the Indian Electricity System, as each reactor is producing 1000 MW. Source:indiawaterportal.org / wikipedia.org
The performance is excellent

“I am very happy to share that we have recently completed 175 days of continuous operation of Unit 1 and its performance is excellent,” R. S. Sundar, KNPP site director, told journalists.

Speaking on the occasion of India’s Independence Day, on August 15, he said Unit 1 had generated 10,900 million units of electricity since its synchronisation with the Southern grid after the reactor gained criticality on July 13, 2013.

“The dedication to the nation of the Unit 1 of Kudankulam nuclear power plant is a very significant milestone in Indo-Russian relations”, he said.

Sundar also praised efforts of KNPP’s Public Awareness Team to reach out to as many people as possible to bust the myths about nuclear energy.

“Almost one lakh (100,000) people visited the KNPP site through various programmes since 2011. More than 350 lectures and seminars were organised in schools, colleges, and other forums through which the KNPP met over 5 lakh people. This helped us in making the public understand the safety of the KNPP reactors clearly,” Sundar said.

Valery Limarenko, President of ASE Group of Companies, the Engineering and Construction Division of Rosatom, the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation, said that Unit 1 had surpassed design expectations with the actual performance of Unit 1.

“The first ever Russian-designed nuclear power unit jointly built in India fully meets all state-of-the-art safety requirements and demonstrates steady operation”, Limarenko said.

Vasily Zhurko, member of the State Duma (Upper House of Russian Parliament) Energy Committee, told RIR that efficiency of Unit 1 was 2,4% higher than the designed figures, and capacity factor is 2.5% higher, so India had a more advanced NPP than had been initially planned. Indo-Russian cooperation in the field of nuclear energy is mutually beneficial. That`s the reason why our countries are likely to go beyond the construction of KNPP and build units at other sites”, he said.

“Russia has always been a reliable partner of India either in the field of nuclear energy or any other area of cooperation. Russian nuclear technology has proven its high quality and best price worldwide. Other countries are also aware of the highest quality of Russian technologies. That`s why all our partners including India, China and Iran where we have been participating in the construction of nuclear power plants opts for developing and expansion of the cooperation with Russia,” Zhurko added.

Highest standards of safety and reliability

M.R. Srinivasan, first Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) said India was satisfied with the safety provisions of Russian nuclear power units.

“Indian and Russian nuclear safety regulatory authorities have collaborated at Kudankulam to enhance the safety of the its reactors substantially,” he said.

Srinivasan recalled the recent launch of Unit 6 of the Novovoronezh NPP in Russia with VVER-1200, the first 3+ generation reactors in the world, and said India expected the new unit also to have highest standards of safety and reliability.

“Kudankulam NPP is incorporating the largest power unit in the Indian Electricity System, as each reactor is producing 1000 MW. Our other power units, nuclear or coal fired, are of smaller size. Therefore, Kudankulam means an important jump in the size of the power unit”, he said.

“Indo-Russian cooperation in nuclear power is an important part of Indian nuclear development. The power systems of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Pondicherry will greatly benefit from Kudankulam NPP,” Srinivasan added.

Potent symbol of Indo-Russian cooperation

“The Kudankulam NPP is a potent symbol of Indo-Russian cooperation and of our time-tested friendship and relationship. It is important that Kudankulam perform at top-quality ratings and ensures complete safety. One welcomes Russia’s commitment to these demanding standards. We wish them all the very best in setting a global example at Kudankulam,” senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said in an interview to RIR.

Aiyar said there was “every possibility of further success in bilateral nuclear energy cooperation, if KNPPP meets the high expectations of efficiency and safety that both Russia and India desire.”

“But it must be noted that both at Kudankulam and at every proposed site for NPPs, the local people get very agitated and concerned about their future and their livelihood, especially fishermen. Additional locations would depend very much on these concerns being addressed and on the administration ensuring that rehabilitation and resettlement problems of displaced persons are given no less attention than the setting up of the NPP itself,” he said.

On Indo-Russian relations, Aiyar said they should be driven primarily by shared political perceptions and common interests in promoting global peace and disarmament.

“Of course, nuclear energy and defence requirements will figure prominently in any practical agenda of cooperation, but the relationship should be driven by higher objectives and a noble vision for our peoples and for humankind,” he added.

Russia always helps

R. Rajaraman, Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University told RIR that Russians have always been very helpful in India’s nuclear programme.

“They started construction of Kudankulam NPP even before the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) sanctions were lifted, on the basis of a "grandfathering" rule. By now Unit 1of the Kudankulam NPP is producing energy and that is a big input into our nuclear power generation capacity. All this will greatly help us achieve the nuclear energy targets for 2030”, he said.

Rajaraman thinks the importance of nuclear energy has further increased in the view of the Climate Change crisis and India's commitments at the Paris Climate Change Conference.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Kudankulam NPP performance lauded
Unit 1 of Kudankulam nuclear power plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu state in south India was dedicated to the nation on August 10, 2016. RIR spoke with Indian and Russian specialists to find out about the plant`s performance and bilateral ties in the field of nuclear energy.

Kudankulam NPP is incorporating the largest power unit in the Indian Electricity System, as each reactor is producing 1000 MW. Source:indiawaterportal.org / wikipedia.org
The performance is excellent

“I am very happy to share that we have recently completed 175 days of continuous operation of Unit 1 and its performance is excellent,” R. S. Sundar, KNPP site director, told journalists.

Speaking on the occasion of India’s Independence Day, on August 15, he said Unit 1 had generated 10,900 million units of electricity since its synchronisation with the Southern grid after the reactor gained criticality on July 13, 2013.

“The dedication to the nation of the Unit 1 of Kudankulam nuclear power plant is a very significant milestone in Indo-Russian relations”, he said.

Sundar also praised efforts of KNPP’s Public Awareness Team to reach out to as many people as possible to bust the myths about nuclear energy.

“Almost one lakh (100,000) people visited the KNPP site through various programmes since 2011. More than 350 lectures and seminars were organised in schools, colleges, and other forums through which the KNPP met over 5 lakh people. This helped us in making the public understand the safety of the KNPP reactors clearly,” Sundar said.

Valery Limarenko, President of ASE Group of Companies, the Engineering and Construction Division of Rosatom, the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation, said that Unit 1 had surpassed design expectations with the actual performance of Unit 1.

“The first ever Russian-designed nuclear power unit jointly built in India fully meets all state-of-the-art safety requirements and demonstrates steady operation”, Limarenko said.

Vasily Zhurko, member of the State Duma (Upper House of Russian Parliament) Energy Committee, told RIR that efficiency of Unit 1 was 2,4% higher than the designed figures, and capacity factor is 2.5% higher, so India had a more advanced NPP than had been initially planned. Indo-Russian cooperation in the field of nuclear energy is mutually beneficial. That`s the reason why our countries are likely to go beyond the construction of KNPP and build units at other sites”, he said.

“Russia has always been a reliable partner of India either in the field of nuclear energy or any other area of cooperation. Russian nuclear technology has proven its high quality and best price worldwide. Other countries are also aware of the highest quality of Russian technologies. That`s why all our partners including India, China and Iran where we have been participating in the construction of nuclear power plants opts for developing and expansion of the cooperation with Russia,” Zhurko added.

Highest standards of safety and reliability

M.R. Srinivasan, first Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) said India was satisfied with the safety provisions of Russian nuclear power units.

“Indian and Russian nuclear safety regulatory authorities have collaborated at Kudankulam to enhance the safety of the its reactors substantially,” he said.

Srinivasan recalled the recent launch of Unit 6 of the Novovoronezh NPP in Russia with VVER-1200, the first 3+ generation reactors in the world, and said India expected the new unit also to have highest standards of safety and reliability.

“Kudankulam NPP is incorporating the largest power unit in the Indian Electricity System, as each reactor is producing 1000 MW. Our other power units, nuclear or coal fired, are of smaller size. Therefore, Kudankulam means an important jump in the size of the power unit”, he said.

“Indo-Russian cooperation in nuclear power is an important part of Indian nuclear development. The power systems of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Pondicherry will greatly benefit from Kudankulam NPP,” Srinivasan added.

Potent symbol of Indo-Russian cooperation

“The Kudankulam NPP is a potent symbol of Indo-Russian cooperation and of our time-tested friendship and relationship. It is important that Kudankulam perform at top-quality ratings and ensures complete safety. One welcomes Russia’s commitment to these demanding standards. We wish them all the very best in setting a global example at Kudankulam,” senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said in an interview to RIR.

Aiyar said there was “every possibility of further success in bilateral nuclear energy cooperation, if KNPPP meets the high expectations of efficiency and safety that both Russia and India desire.”

“But it must be noted that both at Kudankulam and at every proposed site for NPPs, the local people get very agitated and concerned about their future and their livelihood, especially fishermen. Additional locations would depend very much on these concerns being addressed and on the administration ensuring that rehabilitation and resettlement problems of displaced persons are given no less attention than the setting up of the NPP itself,” he said.

On Indo-Russian relations, Aiyar said they should be driven primarily by shared political perceptions and common interests in promoting global peace and disarmament.

“Of course, nuclear energy and defence requirements will figure prominently in any practical agenda of cooperation, but the relationship should be driven by higher objectives and a noble vision for our peoples and for humankind,” he added.

Russia always helps

R. Rajaraman, Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics, School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University told RIR that Russians have always been very helpful in India’s nuclear programme.

“They started construction of Kudankulam NPP even before the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) sanctions were lifted, on the basis of a "grandfathering" rule. By now Unit 1of the Kudankulam NPP is producing energy and that is a big input into our nuclear power generation capacity. All this will greatly help us achieve the nuclear energy targets for 2030”, he said.

Rajaraman thinks the importance of nuclear energy has further increased in the view of the Climate Change crisis and India's commitments at the Paris Climate Change Conference.

 

[cobra commando]

India powers past 6,000MW mark in nuclear energy

 

[Indx TechStyle]

US firm Westinghouse to start working on planned nuclear plant in Andhra Pradesh

This marks progress since the PM's Washington visit in June when the two sides welcomed start of preparatory work for the six reactors.

NEW DELHI: India and USA have inched towards realization of construction of six reactors by Westinghouse at the proposed nuclear power plant in Andhra Pradesh with the two sides deciding on the immediate commencement of work on engineering and site design and the early conclusion of a competitive financing package based on the joint work by India and the US Export-Import Bank.

The issue of nuclear power plant was among the key items on the agenda for the second round of Strategic and Commercial Dialogue.

"The Sides noted the progress made in bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and applauded continued engagement between Westinghouse and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. toward finalizing the contractual arrangements by June 2017 to build six AP 1000 reactors that will provide clean, reliable energy to millions of people in India," according to the Indo-US Joint Statement issued on Wednesday following the Dialogue.

"They also looked forward to the immediate commencement of work on engineering and site design and the early conclusion of a competitive financing package based on the joint work by India and the US Export-Import Bank," informed the Statement.

This marks progress since the PM's Washington visit in June when the two sides welcomed start of preparatory work for the six reactors.

"lminating a decade of partnership on civil nuclear issues, the leaders welcomed the start of preparatory work on site in India for six AP 1000 reactors to be built by Westinghouse and noted the intention of India and the US Export-Import Bank to work together toward a competitive financing package for the project. Once completed, the project would be among the largest of its kind, fulfilling the promise of the US-India civil nuclear agreement and demonstrating a shared commitment to meet India's growing energy needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Both sides welcomed the announcement by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, and Westinghouse that engineering and site design work will begin immediately and the two sides will work toward finalizing the contractual arrangements by June 2017," read the Joint Statement issued at the end of Modi-Barack Obama talks in June in Washington.

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday remarked, "Our civil nuclear cooperation will bring affordable clean energy to tens of millions of Indian households as we move closer in the use of safe, modern, latest generation, modular nuclear power."

Meanwhile the maritime disputes in the South China Sea region returned back to the Indo-US Joint Statement after getting dropped in the statement that was issued after Modi-Obama talks in June. This is significant ahead of Modi's trip to Vietnam and the East Asia and India-ASEAN Summits all in Sep 1st week.

"In the context of recent developments, the Sides stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation, freedom of overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce throughout the region, including in the South China Sea. They urged the utmost respect for international law, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They reiterated that States should resolve disputes through peaceful means, and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability," suggested the Joint Statement issued after the second round of Indo-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue here.

READ MORE:
Westinghouse|US|Reactors|John Kerry|India

 

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India powers past 6,000MW mark in nuclear energy

 

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Russia, India discuss joint NPP projects in third countries — deputy PM

 

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Россия и Индия согласовали строительство двух блоков АЭС "Куданкулам"

© РИА Новости. Евгений Безека

НОВО-ОГАРЕВО, 12 сен — РИА Новости. РФ и Индия согласовали соглашение о строительстве пятого и шестого блока АЭС "Куданкулам" и готовы осенью его подписать, заявил глава Росатома Сергей Кириенко на встрече с президентом РФ Владимиром Путиным.
"У нас сейчас активно пошла работа по третьему и четвёртому (блокам), уже идут работы, и мы сейчас согласовали с индийскими партнёрами, готовы осенью подписывать пятый и шестой блок", — сказал Кириенко.
Он напомнил, что 10 августа прошла торжественная церемония передачи первого блока АЭС "Куданкулам". "Тогда (индийский министр – ред.) как раз обратился с просьбой ускорить пуск второго блока. Докладываю: 29 августа состоялся пуск второго блока, сейчас идёт набор мощности", — отметил глава Росатома.
По его словам, индийская сторона очень довольна работой. "У нас характеристики блока лучше, чем по контракту. Тот случай, когда мы сделали лучше, чем обещали. У нас получается КПД на 2,5% больше, мощность на 2,5% больше, а коэффициент готовности, то есть пользы от него, – на 8% больше, чем предусмотрено по контракту", — пояснил Кириенко.
На вопрос президента, осталась ли прежней цена исполнения контракта, Кириенко сообщил, что "выполняли обязательства" в рамках контракта. "Но продукт – это был тоже головной блок – сделали намного лучше, что и для других наших проектов в третьих странах тоже важно: все смотрели, как будет реализован этот проект. И то, что он лучше, чем мы обещали, это, в общем, важная вещь", — добавил глава Росатома.
Блок №2 АЭС "Куданкулам" с реакторной установкой российского проекта ВВЭР-1000 (индекс В-412) 29 августа был подключен к национальной энергосистеме Индии и выдал в нее первые киловатт-часы электроэнергии.
АЭС "Куданкулам" возводится в штате Тамилнаду в рамках российско-индийского соглашения от 20 ноября 1988 года и дополнения к нему от 21 июня 1998 года. Генеральный подрядчик (в части рабочего проектирования, поставки оборудования и технического содействия) — АО "Атомстройэкспорт", генеральный проектировщик — АО "Атомэнергопроект" (входят в группу компаний госкорпорации "Росатом" ASE).
Весной 2014 года Россия и Индия подписали генеральное рамочное соглашение о строительстве второй очереди АЭС "Куданкулам". Готовится к подписанию генеральное рамочное соглашение о строительстве третьей очереди (пятый и шестой блоки) станции.
Кроме того, в декабре 2014 года Москва и Дели подписали документ о стратегическом видении серийного сооружения энергоблоков по российской технологии в Индии. В документе определены планы по строительству в Индии с участием РФ до 25 атомных энергоблоков. Сообщалось, что Индия планирует предоставить России новую площадку для строительства шести блоков АЭС по российскому проекту АЭС-2006 с реакторами ВВЭР-1200.

Translation credit: Rusaia Beyond The Headlines

Russia and India have worked out an agreement to build the fifth and sixth reactors of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP). They are ready to finalise and sign it in autumn, said Sergey Kiriyenko, the head of Rosatom, at a recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We are now actively working on the third and fourth (units), the work has begun, and we have now coordinated with the Indian partners and are ready to sign an agreement for the fifth and sixth unit in autumn," Kiriyenko said.
He recalled that a ceremony to hand over the first KNPP unit was held on 10 August.
"Then they sent a request to expedite the commissioning of the second unit. On August 29 the second unit was launched, now there is a surfeit of power," said the head of Rosatom.
He said the Indian side is very satisfied with the work.
"We have better features in the unit than those mentioned under the contract. This is a case when we did better than we had promised. We get 2.5 percent greater efficiency, 2.5 percent more power at and availability factor, i.e. the benefit from it is 8 percent higher than that provided under the contract,"Kiriyenko said.
Responding to the President’s question about whether the former price of the contract stayed, Kiriyenko said that "fulfilling the obligations" was in the framework of the contract.
"But the product; this was also the head unit; was much better made, which was also important for our other projects in third countries. Everybody was watching how this project would be implemented and the fact that it is better than we promised is, in general, an important thing," said Kiriyenko.
The KNPP №2 unit, with the Russian reactor plant VVER-1000 (code B-412), was connected to the Indian national grid on August 29, and supplied it the first kilowatt hours of electricity.
The Kudankulam NPP is being built in Kudankulam in the southern state of Tamil Nadu within the framework of the Russian-Indian agreement of 20 November 1988 and the amendments thereto of 21 June 1998. The general contractor (for design engineering, supply of equipment and technical assistance) is JSC "Atomstroyexport", while the general designer is JSC "AEP" (part of the group of companies in the "Rosatom" ASE state corporation).
Russia and India signed a general framework agreement in the spring of 2014 on construction of a second set of NPPs at Kudankulam. A general framework agreement on construction of the third stage (the fifth and sixth blocks) plants has also been worked out.
In addition, Moscow and New Delhi signed a document in December 2014 on the strategic vision for serial construction of reactors in India based on Russian technology. The document defines the plans to build up to 25 nuclear power plants in India with Russian participation.
It has been reported that India plans to give Russia new sites for construction of six nuclear power units according to the Russian design AES-2006 with the VVER-1200 reactors.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant can produce 96 million units of power
A 1,000 MW plant can produce 24 million units per day.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) alone can produce 96 million units of power per day in near future.​

Chennai: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) alone can produce 96 million units of power per day in near future, according to R.S.Sundar, director, KKNPP. Speaking at Sathyabama University’s 25th convocation on Friday, he said, “Unlike other energy sources, the nuclear power plants can run uninterruptedly up to several months.”

Explaining the difference of fuel requirement between thermal and nuclear power plants he said, “For 1,000 MW nuclear power plant we need 25 tonnes of uranium. Similar 1,000 MW thermal power plant needs 25 lakh tonnes of coal.” “A 1,000 MW plant can produce 24 million units per day. In our nuclear plant we aim to produce 96 million units of power in coming six years,” he said.

“At present, the unit 1 in Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is commissioned. In unit 2 we just started to generate electricity. We are expecting to finish the unit 3 and 4 in another six years. For two more units we hope to enter into the agreements with the Russian federation soon,” he added. When asked about when unit 2 will able to produce the power he said, they expect the unit to come to the grid by December. “If all the 6 units commissioned we can produce 144 million units per day.”

“We are trying to give safe and clean energy through the nuclear power plants,” he said. Totally 2,659 undergraduates, 455 postgraduates and 95 bachelor of dental surgery and 123 PhD students were awarded degrees. NLC India chairman Sarat Kumar Acharya and Global Adjustments managing director Ranjini Manian were award honorary doctorate degrees. Sathyabama University Chancellor Remibai Jeppiar, directors Mariazeena Johnson, Marie Johnson and vice-chancellor B.Sheela Rani also participated.

NLC to have 500 MW solar plants in TN:

NLC plans to have 500 MW solar power plants in Tamil Nadu, according to Sarat Kumar Acharya, chairman, NLC India Limited. After receiving an honorary doctorate at Sathyabama University’s 25th convocation he said, “Tangedco has given agreement for purchasing 500 MW solar energy from NLC.” “Of that 10 MW is we have installed and 130 MW is under construction. We are searching for lands in the state to set up other lands,” he said. “We are hopeful to deliver the 500 MW solar power before the next financial year,” he added. He also said that NLC is looking at Karnataka, UP and Andaman and Nicobar, Odisha to set up solar power plants. “We want to add 4,000 MW of renewable energy to our capacity.” At present, NLC is operating 10 MW solar plant and 50 MW wind energy plants.

Tags: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Location: India, Tamil Nadu, Chennai (Madras)

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India seeks loan from US for nuclear reactors

Kudankulam nuclear power project plant.
HIGHLIGHTS

• India is seeking $8-9 billion loan from US Export-Import Bank.
• The loan will be used to finance 6 Westinghouse nuclear reactors.
• Westinghouse is owned by Japan's Toshiba Corp but is based in US.

NEW DELHI: India is negotiating with US Export-Import Bank for an $8-9 billion loan to finance six Westinghouse Electric nuclear reactors, two sources familiar with the talks said, although a lending freeze at the trade agency threatens progress.

The mega-project, the result of warming US-India ties in recent years, could open up billions of dollars of further investment in India's nuclear power sector, which was for decades shut out of the global market.

India now targets a tenfold expansion in capacity to 63,000 MW by 2032, and US, French and Russian companies are among those chasing the business.

The Westinghouse deal, however, is contingent on financing and Ex-Im cannot approve loans of more than $10 million, owing to a row in the US Congress over board appointments stemming from a campaign by conservatives to close the government lender.

Only two of five seats on Ex-Im's board are filled and the appointment of a third director - the minimum needed to clear board decisions - is on hold due to opposition from the Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Republican Richard Shelby.

"Financing of the reactors is the critical piece; everything is down to this," said one source involved in protracted negotiations to build the reactors in Andhra Pradesh.

The source, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said Indian negotiators and Ex-Im officials were trying to set the terms of the financial package in the hope that the freeze on the bank, affecting potential sales of several major US companies, would lift soon.

Westinghouse is owned by Japan's Toshiba Corp but is based in the United States.

In addition to US Ex-Im, India is also seeking funding from Japan and South Korea for the reactors to be built in Kovvada, two sources familiar with the talks said.

Ex-Im had asked a South Korean export credit agency if it would be interested in partly financing the Westinghouse deal, since some of the nuclear equipment and materials are expected to come from South Korea, an official at the agency with direct knowledge of the discussions told Reuters.

The agency was willing to fund a part if a Korean contractor was involved, with Ex-Im providing the majority of the total, the official said.

The US bank had not made any request to its Japanese counterpart to extend loans to the nuclear project in India, a source with direct knowledge said in Tokyo.

Leadership lobby

Both US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been promoting the nuclear deal, which was stuck for years because of an Indian law that made nuclear equipment suppliers liable in case of an accident, and not just the plant operators as is the global norm.

India has since set up an insurance pool to indemnify suppliers, and both Westinghouse and India's state-run operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) are working to a June 2017 deadline to sign the contract laid down by Obama and Modi.

"The goal right now is to get that financing done during President Obama's tenure, knowing full well that it may or may not stick in a new administration following the ... presidential election," said industry veteran Vijay Sazawal, principal of International Atomic Energy Consulting in Washington DC.

While negotiators are unlikely to nail down a contract under Obama, who steps down in January, their challenge will be to come up with concessional financing terms that will make Westinghouse's AP1000 reactors affordable.

Westinghouse did not respond to a request for comment, while a US Ex-Im Bank spokeswoman declined to comment. An NPCIL official said the firm had nothing to say at this stage.

Democratic lawmakers in the US Congress were pushing this week to include a provision in a must-pass spending measure that would lift the board quorum requirement for deals above $10 million.

But negotiations between party leaders were dragging on and congressional aides and lobbyists said on Tuesday it was unclear whether the Ex-Im provision would prove too controversial to make it into the final spending extension package, needed to avoid a government shutdown on October 1.

The deal with Westinghouse would be the first since a landmark 2008 US-India nuclear pact that allowed New Delhi access to foreign technology and finance even though it has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and runs an active weapons programme.

Under the rules of non-proliferation, no US or Japanese firm could engage in nuclear trade with a non-signatory, but since Washington made an exception for India, Tokyo has also signalled its assent.

The nuclear agreement crafted by the George W Bush administration was seen initially as an attempt to build India into a military and economic power to counter China, but has since become linked to Washington's effort to wean major economies such as India off fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy.

India is also in talks with Russia to build four more reactors on top of the two already completed in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, as well as with France's EDF for the construction of six reactors of 1650 MW each in western India, which would be the world's biggest nuclear power complex.

But talks with Westinghouse are more advanced than those with the French, with the two sides aiming to sign an early works agreement next month, sources familiar with their progress said.

A delegation from the US-based firm visited New Delhi earlier this month to finalise the pact that would include the timeline and up-front costs such as land acquisition and site preparation, said a source familiar with the matter.

 

[busesaway]

I understand that there's considerable opposition to nuclear power. I personally think that nuclear power is the "worst option, except for all other options". i.e. India should strive to prefer hydro-electric, wind, and solar solutions; but it should not be against nuclear power plants.

On a side note, I personally believe India's "rationing" of nuclear power plants is a positive way to "ration" military procurement too. India should share the imports among several countries/alliances.

* i.e. Instead of buying all its hardware from nato, India is buying hardware from the United States, France/Europe, South Korea, Japan, and Russia.

 

[Bahamut]

I understand that there's considerable opposition to nuclear power. I personally think that nuclear power is the "worst option, except for all other options". i.e. India should strive to prefer hydro-electric, wind, and solar solutions; but it should not be against nuclear power plants.

Nuclear power is misunderstood, the new reactor are far more safe and produce less waste. All new reactor in India are of post fukushima safety.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

China eyes India's nuclear projects

China has evinced interest in taking part in the atomic power projects in India, even as it continues to block New Delhi’s bid to get a berth in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). "Chinese companies have rich experience and safe technology in nuclear energy, and would like to take part in India’s civil nuclear energy projects,” Liu Jinsong, China’s acting ambassador to India, said.

His comment came ahead of the China-India Strategic Economic Dialogue, which is likely to be held early next month and will give both sides an opportunity to explore the possibility of bilateral civil nuclear cooperation.

The Chinese interest in the atomic power projects in India has come at a time when New Delhi is trying to persuade Beijing to stop opposing its bid to enter the NSG. "China understands India’s wish to develop clean energy, including nuclear energy, to adapt to climate change and contribute to global emission reduction,” said Liu, speaking at the Energy Research Centre of the Jawaharlal Nehru University recently.

On June 12, DH had reported that New Delhi has indicated its willingness to start discussions with Beijing on the possibility of an inter-governmental agreement, which would provide a framework for India-China cooperation in the nuclear energy sector.

China’s nuclear industry is expanding and has started going international with projects in the UK, Romania and Argentina. China has also been building nuclear reactors in Pakistan.

India’s "Intended Nationally Determined Contribution” to global effort to mitigate climate change would require it to generate 40% power without using fossil fuel by 2030. The Centre has a target to raise installed capacity for nuclear power generation from 5,780 MWe to 63 GWe by 2032.

New Delhi conveyed to Beijing that India’s membership of the NSG would enable it to take part in the process to frame rules for international nuclear trade and would thus provide for "a predictable global environment”, which would help it implement its plan to substantially raise atomic power generation, sources told DH.

A meeting between the top diplomats of the two countries in New Delhi a fortnight back failed to make any breakthrough as China stuck to its stand that the 48-nation NSG, which controls global nuclear commerce, should admit India only when it opened up its door for future entry of Pakistan and other countries which too did not sign the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. Russia is already building reactors in India, while the US and French companies are negotiating commercial agreements with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited. Canada has started supplying uranium to India and Australia will follow soon.

 

[Abhinav Dharma]

China eyes India's nuclear projects

I Heard we are making a secret nuclear city

 

[Indx TechStyle]

I Heard we are making a secret nuclear city

Ignore and don't cite it.
Even if it's true, defy it to protect country from pressure.

We Indians strongly oppose these fake news and it's western propaganda. LOL:biggrin2:

 

[Abhinav Dharma]

Ignore and don't cite it.
Even if it's true, defy it to protect country from pressure.

We Indians strongly oppose these fake news and it's western propaganda. LOL:biggrin2:

yeah correct bro jai BHARAT JAI HINDU

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Japan, India to sign nuclear cooperation deal in November: report

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi December 12, 2015.
REUTERS/ADNAN ABIDI

Japan and India are likely to sign a civil nuclear cooperation pact during a visit to Japan by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in mid-November, the Mainichi newspaper reported on Saturday.

The governments of Asia's second-and third-largest economies are leaning toward holding a summit meeting between Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, the report said, citing unidentified diplomatic sources from both nations.

The two leaders last December reached a basic agreement for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, but they stopped short of signing the agreement, citing outstanding technical and legal differences.

Japan, the only country to have suffered a nuclear attack, has been demanding additional non-proliferation guarantees from India, which has a nuclear weapons program, before exporting nuclear reactors.

India and Japan have been negotiating the nuclear energy deal since Japan's ally, the United States, opened the way for nuclear commerce with India, which has shunned the global Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The two countries have reached a basic agreement during the working level negotiations that Japan would halt cooperation immediately if India conducted a nuclear test, the report added.

A final deal with Japan would benefit U.S. firms. India has already given land for nuclear plants to GE-Hitachi - which is an alliance between the U.S. and Japanese firms - and to Toshiba's Westinghouse Electric Company.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Railways, energy PSUs may fund India’s nuke plan

 

[Indx TechStyle]

India, Russia finalise framework agreement for Kudankulam nuclear plant: sources
Russia and India will also sign a multi-billion dollar deal for S-400 'Triumf' missile systems.

India and Russia will sign more than 15 agreements on Saturday during BRICS summit in Goa. The two countries also finalised a general framework agreement and credit protocol for unit 5 and 6 of Kudankulam nuclear plant, Russian sources told PTI.

Russia and India will also sign a multi-billion dollar deal for S-400 'Triumf' long-range air defence missile systems on Saturday following talks between Putin and Modi, state media in Moscow reported on Thursday. The system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. If India signs the deal, it would be the second customer of the prized missile system after China which had struck a $3 billion (Rs 20,054 crore) contract last year.

The S-400, an upgraded version of the S-300, had previously only been available to the Russian defence forces. It is manufactured by Almaz-Antey and has been in service in Russia since 2007.Asserting that India is delighted to host the BRICS Summit in Goa.

Asserting that India is delighted to host the 8th BRICS Summit in Goa followed by a first-ever BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended a warm welcome to all nations participating in the event and said that India looks forward to finding common resolve and solutions.

Taking to Facebook to post a welcome message for the arriving delegations, the Prime Minister said that he is honoured to receive Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Michel Temer of Brazil for a bilateral visit. India and Russia will sign more than 15 agreements on Saturday during the summit.

"President Putin's visit will give us an opportunity to consolidate and reaffirm a unique time-tested friendship and partnership with Russia. President Temer's visit will open up new areas for cooperation with Brazil, an important strategic partner," he said.

He further stated that he looks forward to useful conversations with his fellow leaders from China, South Africa, Brazil and Russia on addressing pressing international and regional challenges that stand in the way of their goals. "As Chair of the BRICS this year, India has embraced a stronger emphasis on promoting people-to-people linkages in diverse fields including trade, sports, education, films, scholarship, and tourism. It is anchored in the belief that our people are pivotal partners in our effort to craft responsive, collective and inclusive solutions," the Prime Minister said.

Emphasising on the new initiatives that will be launched in Goa during the Summit, Prime Minister Modi expressed his optimism that the BRICS Summit will strengthen intra-BRICS cooperation and advance our common agenda for development, peace, stability and reform. He further said that he is happy that India is facilitating an outreach Summit with the BIMSTEC leaders of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sir Lanka and Thailand.

"Representing nearly two thirds of humanity together, we hope to tap the potential for cooperation and the dividends this will bring. India looks forward to building bridges to new partnerships and finding common resolve and solutions to our entrenched problems," the Prime Minister said.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Modi, Putin to Lay the Foundation Stone of Third, Fourth Units of Kudankulam NPP
The dedication of the second unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in India and the announcement of the finalization of the general framework agreement for the 3rd and 4th units are to be held on Saturday.

© SPUTNIK/ EVGENIY BEZEKA
India's 2nd Most Powerful Nuclear Reactor Switched On

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — Nuclear co-operation between India and Russia will receive further boost as the formal beginning of civil works for the third and fourth units of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project will occur on Saturday. Sources from government told Sputnik that both countries have finalized the basic framework for fifth and sixth units of the project. Both leaders will also dedicate the second unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project to India.

Sources said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Modi will formally lay the foundation stone for the third and fourth units of the project. The leaders will join the project site through video conferencing between 13.10 pm — 13.15 pm (Indian Standard Time) from Goa's Taj Exotica. Work on the third and fourth units is expected to be completed by year 2022. The third and fourth units will be based on the VVER-Toi design.