NPCIL, EIL ink pact for cooperation in nuclear projects

As India embarks on expansion of its nuclear power sector, state-run NPCIL today inked a pact with Engineers India Limited (EIL) for providing services to its various projects.

A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed here by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) S K Jain and EIL CMD A K Purwaha here.

"The MoC has been entered into by the two companies to leverage their respective strengths and competencies for mutual benefits," R R Kakde, General Manager, NPCIL, said in statement.

The MoC envisages EIL providing services or association for various project assignments of NPCIL including that of joint venture companies and export of reactors, involving either with indigenous or imported technologies, he said.

"These services include project management, engineering services, procurement services, inspection services, construction management, pre-commissioning and commissioning assistance and technical manpower support services required in nuclear power projects," Kakde said.

Currently, NPCIL operates 20 nuclear power reactors with an installed capacity of 4780 MW.

Four nuclear power plants -- two 1000 MW units at Kudankulam and two 700 MW units at Rawatbhata -- have been launched.

Kudankulam unit 1 & 2, built with technical assistance from Russia, are in various advanced stages of completion. Unit one is expected to attain first criticality this quarter which would be closely followed by unit two.

The first pour of concrete for first of the two 700 MW indigenously built pressurised heavy water reactors is planned for March at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan.

NPCIL has ambitious plans to reach 20,000 MW installed nuclear power capacity by 2020.