India's Nuclear Agreement

[nitesh]

The Hindu Business Line : CANDU’s vendor eyes Indian nuclear market


CANDU’s vendor eyes Indian nuclear market

Can offer ‘significant upgrades’ to reactor technology.

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Changed scenario

The Canadian firm is now keen on exploring service assignments on India’s installed heavy water reactor capacity and possibly even new reactor sales.


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Anil Sasi


New Delhi, Nov. 17 Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd — the Canadian state-owned corporation which is the vendor for the ‘CANDU’ technology — is planning to re-enter the Indian market after a 34-years hiatus.

AECL’s CANDU technology forms the model for most of the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) operating in India. The Canadian firm is now keen on exploring service assignments on India’s installed heavy water reactor capacity and possibly even new reactor sales.

An AECL delegation, led by its Chief Executive, Mr Hugh MacDiarmid, met senior officials from the Department of Atomic Energy and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd late last week. AECL is interested in getting service work on the country’s heavy-water reactors, and potentially even the sale of new reactors, a Government source said.

He said that the Canadians have proposed that they can offer Indian heavy-water reactor technology “significant upgrades”, including life-extensions and efficiency improvement packages.

The Canadian Government is currently negotiating a nuclear co-operation agreement with India that would allow AECL to re-establish business ties.

In addition to AECL, other Canadian nuclear players are eager to see the Indian market open up. Cameco Corporation, the uranium major that has been prevented from selling fuel to India, is among those waiting in the wings. India and Canada have had “informal” discussions last month and expect to schedule formal sessions soon, sources said.

AECL manages Canada’s nuclear energy research and development programme, including advancement and support of ‘CANDU’ reactor technology developed in the 1950s. It had marked an exit from the Indian market after the Canadian Government cut off exchange of nuclear materials and technology with the country in the wake of the Pokhran-I nuclear test in 1974.

The US signed a nuclear cooperation deal with India on October 10, ending India’s three-decade isolation and allowing US companies such as General Electric and Westinghouse to sell atomic reactors and fuel here.

 

[nitesh]

Business Report - Rossing mine to lift uranium production

Rossing mine to lift uranium production
November 7, 2008

By Justin Brown and Bloomberg

Swakopmund, Namibia - Rio Tinto Group, the world's second-largest uranium producer, plans to boost output from the Rossing mine in Namibia by 38 percent and extend its life as Asian countries plan more nuclear reactors.

Rio Tinto would dig a second pit and use new processing techniques to increase annual uranium oxide production to 5 500 tons in 2012 from 4 000 tons this year, Rossing managing director Mike Leech said yesterday. The company intended to operate the mine beyond 2021.

China and India are constructing nuclear power stations after coal, oil and gas rose to record prices. India plans to add 40 000 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2020. The country said last month that it would place orders for as much as 2 000 tons of uranium before the year-end to ensure supplies.

Wotan Swiegers, an adviser at the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, said yesterday during a Rio Tinto media trip that 62 prospecting licences had been issued for uranium. Leech said 20 of the licences were being used to look for the nuclear fuel.

The only other uranium operation in Namibia is the Langer Heinrich mine.

"There has been a uranium rush," Swiegers said. But last year, the Namibian government put a moratorium on further exploration.

Leech said that three years ago, there was very little exploration aimed at finding uranium in Namibia.

Only two new uranium mines are on the cards. In June Areva received the go-ahead for the construction of a uranium mine worth N$6 billion (the same amount in rands) near Trekkopje, 70km east of Swakopmund. Canada's Forsys Metals is expecting to bring an open-pit mine in the area on line in 2010. But Swiegers said there was doubt about whether Forsys would continue with its mine, as it needed to raise funds at a time of credit crisis.

Swiegers said Namibia's uranium mines would contribute 12 percent of world output. By 2015, the mines could employ 6 000 people, up from 2 200 last year.


Leech said Rossing, in which Rio Tinto has a 69 percent interest, was conducting exploration drilling aimed at extending the mine life beyond 2021.

Rossing, which employs 1 275 people, has not achieved this year's expected output of 4 000 tons since 1990.

After many years of falling production, Rossing embarked on a growth path starting in December 2005. Getting to 5 500 tons by 2012 will require a heap leach plant, which could contribute 1 000 tons.

 

[nitesh]

Govt to invest Rs 800 crore for uranium deposit exploration

Govt to invest Rs 800 crore for uranium deposit exploration: Kakodkar

Hyderabad, Nov 19: The Centre would invest about Rs 800 crore for exploration of uranium deposits in the country during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan period, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said on Wednesday.

Stating that early availability of uranium was important for reducing dependence on import of energy resources, he said apart from importing, the commission was looking at enhancing uranium production in the country.

Delivering the Yarladda Sreeramulu Endowment Lecture on "Atomic Energy in India: Emerging Scenario" here, the top scientist said the Kadapa basin in Andhra Pradesh, Mahadek basin in Meghalaya, North Delhi fold belt, Rajasthan and Haryana were the thrust areas identified for augmentation of uranium resources.

Besides broad-based strategies for wider access, there is a need for adoption of new technology, deployment of large investment and organisational restructuring for increasing uranium resources, he said.

"We also need to build a reservoir of new human resource, which can do engineering based on new sciences. We have to convert scientists into engineers and engineers into scientists to meet future challenges."

Kakodkar called for building stronger bridges between basic research and technology development.

Bureau Report

 

[nitesh]

hmmm nice time to close the long term deals

In downturn, India looks for uranium bargain- Hindustan Times

In every crisis, there’s opportunity. As India hopes to stitch up its first purchase of uranium from Kazakhstan in January, prices have fallen from a high of $138 (Rs 6,900) in 2007 to about $48 (Rs 2,400) per pound now. It’s time to buy.

India, which ended its nuclear pariah status in September, can now stock up on cheap uranium — at a time its nuclear plants are running at about half capacity due to fuel shortages.

With an eye on purchasing uranium from Kazakhstan, which has the world’s second largest reserves and is the third largest producer of nuclear fuel, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev will be the chief guest at the 2009 Republic Day celebrations.

A senior South Block official said Kazakhstan wasn’t the only country India was looking to — Niger was another.

He revealed that even Australia, which had said it wouldn’t sell uranium to India, is revisiting the issue. An Australian diplomat, however, said that was not true.

In October, Shyam Saran, PM Manmohan Singh’s special envoy, had said the financial crisis was a blessing in disguise for India’s nuclear programme. “This opportunity should not be frittered away,” he had said.

 

[nitesh]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aHMNhZVgtxeE&refer=home

Toshiba, Hitachi Seek Atomic Cooperation With India as Ban Ends

By Megumi Yamanaka

Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Japanese nuclear-reactor makers will visit India for the first time since a three-decade ban on atomic trade with the country ended and seek to catch up with the U.S. and France in the race to build power plants.

Senior engineers from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Toshiba Corp. and Hitachi Ltd. will begin a one-week visit on Nov. 23 to meet top nuclear officials, Takuya Hattori, delegation head and president of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, said in an interview in Tokyo today. The 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group, which includes Japan, lifted its ban in September.

France and the U.S. this year agreed to transfer civilian nuclear technology to India, allowing Areva SA and General Electric Co. to compete for the reactors the country plans to build. In Japan, the only country ever attacked with atomic weapons, popular resistance discouraged Prime Minister Taro Aso from signing a cooperation accord with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Tokyo last month.

``If Japan continues to talk with India with the current undecided, opaque stance, there is risk that India may turn its back on Japan,'' Hiroshi Sekimoto, a professor in the nuclear energy department at Tokyo Institute of Technology, said by phone. ``China, Russia and France are willing to cooperate with India.''

India, the second-fastest growing major economy after China, aims to build 40,000 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2020, equivalent to a third of the country's total power generation.

Russia, France

The monopoly Nuclear Power Corp. plans to buy more than $14 billion of equipment next year, Chairman Shreyans Kumar Jain said on Sept. 8. Nuclear Power is negotiating with General Electric and Westinghouse Electric Co. of the U.S., Russia's Rosatom Corp. and Areva, the world's biggest reactor maker, Jain said Oct. 3.

The seven-member Japanese delegation will meet Jain and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar. They will tour nuclear sites and attend a seminar hosted by Nuclear Power.

``We will probably talk about the future of India's nuclear industry and exchange information on what kind of cooperation the countries can have in future,'' Hattori said. ``We haven't decided on any concrete subjects at this moment.''

The forum meets every two months to discuss nuclear relations with India.

The vote by the Nuclear Suppliers Group in September to end India's nuclear isolation prompted protests in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, where more than 200,000 people were killed when the U.S. bombed the cities at the end of World War II. India's first atomic test in 1974 prompted other countries to form the suppliers group and block nuclear exports to the nation.

After his Oct. 22 meeting with Singh in October, Aso, 68, who faces an election early next year, said there had been no agreement on nuclear cooperation. Recent polls show most Japanese disapprove of Aso's performance, increasing chances that he will become the third Japanese leader to resign since September 2007.

``Japan is in a difficult situation,'' said Sekimoto, the nuclear energy professor. ``The government should consider whether it can gain the public's consent if it's going for a deal with India.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Megumi Yamanaka in Tokyo at myamanaka@bloomberg.net.

 

[nitesh]

Obama will take forward the Indo-US nuclear deal: Aide-India-The Times of India

Obama will take forward the Indo-US nuclear deal: Aide
23 Nov 2008, 1643 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: Terming the Indo-US nuclear deal as the "tipping point" in the new relationship between the two countries, a key aide of President-elect Barack Obama has expressed confidence that the new administration will take forward that agreement and build on it despite initial reservations the Democrat had on the issue.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth said US would "encourage" India to follow suit if Washington ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Inderfurth hoped that the "significant agreement" concluded by the Bush administration will be pursued by Obama, who is also supporter of the landmark pact between the two countries.

"I think he is a strong supporter of the agreement. So, this agreement to me as I often said that Brajesh Mishra once describe President Clinton's visit to India in March 2000 as a turning point in this new relationship," Inderfurth told Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN's 'Devil's Advocate'.

The Obama aide said he would suggest the Obama administration to "continue, continue and continue" the relationship with India for which a strong foundation was laid by President George W Bush and former President Bill Clinton during his eight-year tenure.

"I would describe the agreement signed and pursued by President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the tipping point. I consider this as fundamental for our new relationship and I have no doubt that the Democratic administration is going to taking this agreement and build on it otherwise as well," he said when asked whether Obama will honour the fuel supplies assurances given by Bush.

 

[nitesh]

Obama will take forward the Indo-US nuclear deal: Aide-India-The Times of India

Obama will take forward the Indo-US nuclear deal: Aide
23 Nov 2008, 1643 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: Terming the Indo-US nuclear deal as the "tipping point" in the new relationship between the two countries, a key aide of President-elect Barack Obama has expressed confidence that the new administration will take forward that agreement and build on it despite initial reservations the Democrat had on the issue.

Former Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth said US would "encourage" India to follow suit if Washington ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Inderfurth hoped that the "significant agreement" concluded by the Bush administration will be pursued by Obama, who is also supporter of the landmark pact between the two countries.

"I think he is a strong supporter of the agreement. So, this agreement to me as I often said that Brajesh Mishra once describe President Clinton's visit to India in March 2000 as a turning point in this new relationship," Inderfurth told Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN's 'Devil's Advocate'.

The Obama aide said he would suggest the Obama administration to "continue, continue and continue" the relationship with India for which a strong foundation was laid by President George W Bush and former President Bill Clinton during his eight-year tenure.

"I would describe the agreement signed and pursued by President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the tipping point. I consider this as fundamental for our new relationship and I have no doubt that the Democratic administration is going to taking this agreement and build on it otherwise as well," he said when asked whether Obama will honour the fuel supplies assurances given by Bush.

 

[nitesh]

Time for nuclear industry, vendors to get together: Kakodkar- LATEST NEWS-The Economic Times

Time for nuclear industry, vendors to get together: Kakodkar
24 Nov 2008, 2135 hrs IST, PTI

MUMBAI: Indian nuclear industry and their partners have to gear up and organise themselves in order to boost the nuclear power production, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said here on Monday.

In backdrop of the Indo-US nuclear deal, import of uranium for the existing plants and their full use could make India increase its power capacity by at least ten times in the next few years, he said at the three-day annual conference of Indian Nuclear Society (INS).

"It is important for the nuclear industry and their local vendors to get together and organise themselves for a massive programme ahead with additional imports of light water reactors. But this should be done without compromising the three-stage programme of the country."

The top scientist said the industry should understand the difference between short and long-term opportunities both in case of imported nuclear power programme as well as the domestic one.

Advantage should be grabbed during the next few years so that the Indian industry, which was already being looked upon by outside nuclear majors for its expertise in precision fabrication, nanoscale surface finish and quality and safety culture, could make full use of the opportunity, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, INS President Prof Rama Rao said after three decades of isolation, the doors for international cooperation in civil nuclear programme are now open for India.

On the occasion, the INS conferred its inaugural Eminent Scientist Award to veteran nuclear scientist M George Vendryes.

 

[nitesh]

here they come:

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/USIBC-Launch-Largest-Ever-Commercial/story.aspx?guid={1DF44262-5C6B-4DBD-AFC3-7D63EBDAF78F}

USIBC to Launch Largest Ever Commercial Nuclear Mission to India

WASHINGTON, Nov 24, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), in partnership with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and with certification by the U.S. Department of Commerce, will lead, from December 2-9, the largest trade mission of U.S. commercial nuclear executives ever to visit India.
The Delegation of the USIBC-NEI Commercial Nuclear Mission will include more than 50 senior executives representing more than 30 of the world's leading commercial nuclear companies. Jack Fuller, CEO of GE-Hitachi, will be the official Mission Leader. Westinghouse Electric Company, the other world leader in commercial reactors, will also have senior executives in the Delegation.
The USIBC-NEI Mission will arrive in India just two months after the historic opening of India to civilian nuclear trade with the U.S. and the world. Announced on July 18, 2005 during the celebrated Washington visit of PM Manmohan Singh, the U.S.-India nuclear deal was finally consummated with the signing, on October 9, of the U.S.-India 123 Agreement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The inking of the bilateral 123 Agreement capped a whirl of approvals - from the Indian Government's successful trust vote on July 20 to unanimous nods by the International Atomic Energy Agency and Nuclear Suppliers Group in September, to a final triumph in the U.S. Congress in early October.
The USIBC-NEI Delegation will meet with senior Government of India officials, the leaders of India's top public-sector undertakings, and senior executive counterparts from India's rising global companies. Starting in New Delhi, the Mission will travel to Hyderabad and then Mumbai.
"We applaud the visionary and courageous leadership of India's political leaders," said USIBC President Ron Somers. "That vision, supported by India's partners, put an end to India's nuclear isolation and made U.S.-India commercial nuclear trade possible."
"We are coming to India to learn how U.S. commercial nuclear suppliers can continue our partnership with India in the expansion of nuclear power," added USIBC Director Ted Jones. "We want to partner with India both here and around the world."
The U.S. commercial nuclear industry leads the world in size, performance, innovation, and engineering worldwide. The U.S. is the largest generator of electric power in the world - with 27% of the world's total installed capacity and nearly double the number of reactors as France. The U.S. also produces at roughly 1/2 to 1/3 of the cost in other major countries. In recent decades, U.S. reactor companies and civil nuclear engineering companies have remained at the forefront of innovation and engineering worldwide.
U.S. industry, including many of the commercial nuclear suppliers on this Mission, provided massive political support for the U.S.-India Civilian Nuclear Initiative. Through the USIBC-led Coalition for Partnership with India, U.S. industry joined with Indian Americans and policy experts to win final approval by the U.S. Congress for ending India's nuclear isolation.
The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), formed in 1975 under the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is the premier business advocacy organization representing 300 of the largest U.S. companies investing in India, joined by global Indian companies, whose mandate is to deepen U.S.-India commercial ties.

 

[Geromix]

We are moving very fast on this.Looks like we could have a few reactors by 2012!

 

[nitesh]

No need to conduct N-tests to show might: Kalam

No need to conduct N-tests to show might: Kalam

New Delhi : Contending that India is a nuclear-weapon state whether the world recognises it or not, former President APJ Abdul Kalam has said the country needs not go for any more atomic tests to prove this status "again and again".

Kalam, who has brought out a special edition of his e-magazine 'Billion Beats' on the Indo-US nuclear deal, has said the country should believe in its strength as he sought to allay fears that the agreement would compromise India's sovereignty.

The deal, apart from paving the way for Uranium imports, will help India develop nuclear technology that the world may need in the future, said the strong proponent of the agreement in an article 'Strength respects Strength'.

He said people should believe in the country's strength in economy and security and prove to the world that "India is wiser" in playing a responsible nation in achieving energy independence vision before 2030.

"I am still confident that one day the nation will wake up to this call. That day is not too far. It should be remembered that the nation is bigger than any individual, organisation and all political parties," he said.

Detailing the country's three-stage atomic programme in the magazine, Kalam said, "India is a nuclear-weapon state. The nation should behave like a nuclear-weapon state. We do not have to prove to any country that we are again and again a nuclear-weapon state by doing more nuclear tests, whether they agree or not, whether they recognise or not.

"If they don't recognise it is not our fault; It is not that we are going to lose anything." Kalam, a scientist who played a major role in the 1998 Pokhran tests, said India has "full capability" to deter any nuclear threat by any nation through all means.

"Yes, we should believe in our strength. Strength respects strength. That is what is happening in the process of Indo-US nuclear deal agreement," said the former President who has also replied to questions posed by some students.

Seeking to allay concerns over the Hyde Act, he said the laws and regulations of the United States would not come in the way of the agreement. The Act enables America to have nuclear trade with India and constraints imposed by it are applicable to firms in that country only, he said.

"Indo-US nuclear deal does not have any binding effect on the socio, economic, and political decision of our nation with USA. We have our own independent foreign policy. The Government of a particular time certainly has the option to protect the sovereign interest of the nation," he said.

"Certainly," Kalam said, "this nuclear agreement protects India's interest in the nuclear power sector. Separation plan for civil and defence nuclear facility clearly gives the independence in maintaining the strategic decision. Nobody can interfere in our foreign policy.

"We can maintain our strategic autonomy in social, economic and political spheres," he added. Kalam also said the 123 Agreement did not impose constraints on India with regard to signing any contract with firms from other countries.

"Please note that 123 Agreement is a framework agreement and not an implementing contract. Whenever implementing agreements or contracts are signed between Indian entities and US energy firms, India and US firms have to ensure that they are in accordance with laws and regulations as applicable to them.

"Obviously whatever is not permitted by US laws, will not be signed by US firms. Once the international civil nuclear trade opens up, India can sign contract with several countries," he said in reply to a question asked by a Mumbai school student.

Noting that the country has only 0.8 per cent of world's known Oil and natural gas resources, Kalam said based on the progress visualised for the nation during the next two decades, the power generation capacity has to increase by to 400,000 MW by the year 2030 from the current 144,565 MW.

"Energy independence has to be achieved through three different sources -- renewable energy, electrical power from nuclear energy and bio-fuel for the transportation sector. Nuclear power generation has been given a thrust by the use of Uranium-based fuel," the former President said.

However, to meet the increased needs of nuclear power generation, it is essential to pursue the development of nuclear power using Thorium, reserves of which are higher in the country, technology development has to be accelerated for Thorium-based reactors, Kalam added

 

[nitesh]

ChennaiOnline News : Russia hopeful of building new nuclear power reactors in India

Nov 25, 2008

New Delhi, Nov 25 Buoyed by the approval of Nuclear Suppliers Group to trade with New Delhi, Russia today said it hoped to construct more nuclear power reactors in India.

"I'm extremely happy that this area of cooperation between India and Russia have been given a new opportunity after the decision was taken by the Nuclear Supplier Group," visiting Russian Energy Minister Sergey Shmatko told reporters here.

"We expect the inter-governmental agreement on construction of additional units at the Kudankulam site as well as other sites in India to be signed in the near future," he said.

Russia is to build four nuclear power reactors in India.

"Russia and India have excellent prospects of cooperation in the nuclear area and this cooperation is very multi-faceted.

"I believe that Russia and India have very good opportunity for future cooperation based on the results of our cooperation at Kudankulam site where we have been able to acquire large expertise by working together," he added.

 

[nitesh]

The Hindu Business Line : Fast Breeder Reactors’ crucial component made in India

Fast Breeder Reactors’ crucial component made in India


A view of the grid plate of the fast breeder reactor. —

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, Nov. 28 In a significant, indigenous effort by an Indian industry, the Hyderabad-based MTAR Technologies has fabricated a critical component – The Grid Plate – for the Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs).

MTAR Technologies, a maker of precision engineering equipment for the strategic sectors, has made the Grid Plate, which supports and accurately positions the core sub-assemblies in the reactor at a substantially low cost.

Interestingly, the Vikas Engine, which powered the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), to put the Chandrayaan-I mission to the moon successfully, has also been developed by the MTAR.

Handing over the Grid Plate to Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, on Friday, Mr P. Ravindra Reddy, Chairman of MTAR, said it has been made at a cost of Rs 30 crore against Rs 47 crore estimated for a prototype.

The Grid Plate is designed and developed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. While MTAR constructed a large workshop, special facilities, OMPLAS Chennai was associated for a specific technology input for manufacturing the grid plate weighting about 80 tonnes.

Speaking at the handing over function at the factory premises, Dr Kakodkar described it as “a magnificent technological achievement”. When the PFBR goes critical in a couple of years, India will be the second country with the capability, he added.

Dr Baldev Raj, Director of IGCAR, said more than 100 industries are involved in the FBR programme. “The fabrication of the Grid Plate and other key components and facilities has taken us closer to the realisation of the programme by 2010,” he added.

In his address, Mr S.K. Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of Nuclear Power Corporation and BHAVINI, said “India has the potential to emerge as a major supply hub for nuclear components”.

Mr Akhil Gupta of Blackstone, the global private equity, which has invested upto Rs 255 crore in MTAR, said, “The future of MTAR is far bigger now after the Indo-US civil nuclear deal has been signed”.

The Andhra Pradesh Minister for major Industries & Sugar, Ms J. Geeta Reddy, said the State has given land for the country’s first Aerospace and Precision Engineering SEZ (Special Economic Zone). “We are ready to give more as the project moves forward. AP already not notified 56 SEZs”, she added.

 

[nitesh]

RIA Novosti - World - Russia, India to sign deal on new nuclear reactors

Russia, India to sign deal on new nuclear reactors

MOSCOW, December 2 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and India will sign an agreement to build another four reactors at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant and to build new plants, the Russian nuclear power chief said on Tuesday.

The bilateral agreement, initialed in February 2008, will be signed during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's official visit to India on December 4-6.

"We plan to sign on Friday an intergovernmental agreement with India to build another four reactors for the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, and envisaging cooperation at new sites," said Sergei Kiriyenko, who heads the state nuclear power corporation Rosatom.

A spokesman for the Rosatom said that Russia and India could also sign an agreement to supply Russian nuclear fuel to Indian nuclear power plants.

Atomstroyexport, Russia's nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly, has been building two reactors for the Kudankulam plant in the southern province of Tamil Nadu since 2002 in line with a 1988 deal between India and the Soviet Union and an addendum signed 10 years later.

Atomstroyexport, established in 1998, has completed or is working on reactors in Iran, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and China

 

[nitesh]

The Hindu : Front Page : Mega uranium deal with Russia

Mega uranium deal with Russia

Sandeep Dikshit

Two sides agree to set up four more nuclear power plants at Kudankulam


NEW DELHI: India and Russia on Friday signed agreements that would eliminate the supply-demand mismatch in uranium and enable the setting up of more state-of-the-art nuclear power plants in India.

At a summit meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev put the final touches on a mega agreement to supply nearly 2,000 tonnes of uranium. This would catapult the capacity utilisation of the existing plants to 90 per cent from an unhealthy 40 to 60 per cent due to shortage of the raw material.

Cuts short visit


Mr. Medvedev later cut short his visit and returned home following the death of the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, considered a part of the ruling establishment, except for the interregnum during the Soviet era, since the time of Peter the Great.

The two sides agreed to set up four more power plants at Kudankulam, where Russia is already assisting in installing two plants. They also agreed to explore the possibility of setting up more nuclear plants, possibly two.

The contract for the supply of the raw material for the existing as well as upcoming nuclear plants at Rawatbhata is in addition to the deal struck with France to provide 300 tonnes of uranium for two proposed 1000-MW light water reactors by Areva of France at Jaitpur in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district.

Significantly, Mr. Medvedev said he discussed the development and leasing of nuclear powered submarines. He admitted that the military relationship had both problems and prospects but dismissed the differences on purchase of military platforms as “nothing special” that could be resolved by “adjustments” by both sides.

India also signed a contract for the import of 80 military helicopters for the Indian Air Force.

The space agencies of both nations agreed on plans for cooperation in manned space flights. This is in addition to their resolve to cooperate in Chandrayaan II, a key part of India’s lunar space mission.

In all, the two sides signed 10 agreements, with the ones on nuclear cooperation, defence and space exploration being of substantial nature. Other pacts were signed on cooperation between stock exchange regulators, customs institutes and anti-money laundering agencies. It was also agreed to step up ties in tourism.

The two sides also came out with a joint declaration.

India is exploring uranium mining possibilities in Meghalaya, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka region but environmental clearances take time and the sophisticated mining equipment is hard to obtain.

At present, mines at Singhbhum in Jharkhand are the only source of the country’s nuclear power plants but the quantity is inadequate to run the plants at full capacity. This was recently corroborated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited chief S.K. Jain. He was quoted as saying that unless India was lucky to explore new reserves, shortage of fuel may jeopardise the country’s nuclear energy growth plans.