GE Hitachi in talks with NPC for 6 reactors

State-run Nuclear Power Corporation has begun talks with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy for the supply of six reactors of 1,350 Mw each. It will soon enter negotiations with Westinghouse Electric Company for another six reactors of 1,154 Mw each.

NPC is currently in discussions with the French supplier Areva for two reactors of 1,650 Mw each for a proposed project in Maharashtra.

Minister of State for Science & Technology Prithviraj Chavan confirmed that talks were on with GE Hitachi. NPC CMD SK Jain told Business Standard, “The GE Hitachi team is currently in Mumbai to hold talks with NPC.” This would be followed by discussions with Westinghouse, he said.

Jain said, “NPC will go in for tested and certified reactors of GE Hitachi and Westinghouse. The government of India is expected to soon take a decision on sites at Mithi Virdi in Gujarat and Kovada in Andhra Pradesh for these reactors.”

GE Hitachi is pitching its two advanced reactor technologies: the advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) and the economic simplified boiling water reactor (ESBWR). A Mumbai-based expert said the ABWR is at the foundation of GE Hitachi’s reactor portfolio. It is licensed to operate in Japan, Taiwan and the US, and can meet generation needs of 1,350-1,460 Mw net. ESBWRs have a rated output of 1,520 Mw.

Westinghouse has the AP1000 pressurised water reactor (PWR), which has received design certification from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. According to the company, the AP1000’s design enhances plant safety and operations, and reduces construction cost.

On the ongoing negotiations with Areva, an NPC official said both companies were expected to sign an early works contract in a month. “This would pave the way for excavation and other preliminary work at the proposed site at Jaitapur in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Subsequently, NPC would enter into a final agreement with Areva,” the official said.

The Maharashtra government and NPC will sign a resettlement & rehabilitation package on October 5 for the Jaitapur project, which envisages a total generation capacity of 10,000 Mw. The state rehabilitation authority recently cleared the package worth Rs 650 crore.