India, Russia: We started discussing a new nuclear power plant
Russia and India have started substantive discussions about a new nuclear power plant in the country, based on a Federation project. This was announced by Alexey Likhachev, head of the Russian nuclear energy corporation Rosatom. "We await an official announcement from the Indian side, but we have already started discussing the conditions and the number of units on the platform indicated by our Indian friends," he told reporters.
Where the reactors will be built is not specified. Each latest generation reactor will have a power of 700 megawatts and will be built with the use of "advanced technologies and the highest safety standards". Authorities expect the construction of reactors to create orders of 700 billion rupees, nearly 11 billion dollars, and more than 33 jobs. The document underlines that the decision of the council of ministers pursues the objective of creating the development of own production technology in the nuclear energy sector, in line with the policy of the Modi government to produce at home.
“The development of the project is testimony to the rapid progress achieved by Indian nuclear scientists. This highlights the skill our nuclear industry scientists have achieved in all aspects of technologies. India's reputation for building and maintaining heavy water reactors over the past forty years has been recognized around the world, ”the document reads.
Energy Minister Pjush Goyal at a press conference in New Delhi, stressed that this "project in India is the first of its kind", he said that the decision of the council of ministers "reflects India's growing power for construction of nuclear power plants ". The decision, according to the minister, also reflects the government's commitment to the priorities given to sustainable development, energy self-sufficiency, a responsible approach to the world of politics "to ensure that we are part of a global effort to combat climate change. ".
India currently has 22 nuclear reactors in seven plants, with a combined output of 6780 megawatts. In 2021 and 2022 India plans to double energy production by building nuclear reactors of thousands of megawatts. In July 2014, the Indian government set the goal of increasing the power of nuclear power plants, at that time equal to 4780 megawatts, reaching 63 thousand megawatts in 2031.
Of the seven power plants in India, only one is already under construction, with foreign participation, in Tamil Nadu, and two units have been built with Russian participation. Two more, it is expected, will be built in a short time, with an agreement for 5 and 6 blocks. The agreement between Russia and India provides for the construction of 12 units. In this case, it is foreseen the possibility of expanding the common cooperation for the realization of 25 units. Three other countries intend to implement cooperation projects with India: USA, France and Japan. Previously, the government of India approved the construction of four camps: in the state of Maharashtra, where a power plant will be built with the assistance of France, in Chaja Mitchi Virdi, in Gujarat and in Kovvada Andhra Pradesh, with the assistance of American and Japanese companies. The construction of six 1000 megawatt reactors is planned. The fourth camp will be built in partnership with Russia, India's Nuclear Energy Department reported.