UK companies eye tie-ups with Indian nuclear businesses

UK civil nuclear industry has firmed up plan for technical as well as financial tie-ups with the Indian counterparts.

As a beginning, UK’s industrial major Sheffied has signed a joint venture pact with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to make forging equipment not only to cater to the needs of nuclear industries from India and the UK but also the global market. Besides, Hindustran Construction Company has inked MoU with Amec plc for consulting services for fabrication of nuclear plants. UK’s Nuvia, which is the nuclear specialist, covering both civilian and defence sectors, across the complete lifecycle from New Build, through Operations and Maintenance, to final decommissioning and waste disposal, has joined hands with Punj Lloyd.

Lady Judge, former chairman of UK Atomic Energy Authority and business ambassador told Business Standard “BHEL chairman has offered to set up a working group to finetune JV arrangement in order to global assignments.” She informed that India’s engineering giant L&T has tied up with Rolls Royce to work in the field of instrumentation control. Moreover, Serco, which offers operational, management and consulting expertise in nuclear sector, plans to increase its presence in India’s nuclear sector. Undoubtedly, India is leading the present nuclear renaissance and industries from the UK and India will have amply opportunities of mutual benefits. She said Indian and UK universities and educational institutions are currently spending 1.4 sterling each on research and training in the nuclear sector.

Lady Judge, who was in Mumbai along with a high level delegation of British companies engaged in civil nuclear sector headed by Keith Parker, said UK has launched nuclear addition of 16 GW through private sector companies and the first unit is expected to be commissioned in 2018. On the other hand, India plans to increase its nuclear capacity to 25 per cent at 63 GW by 2032 from the present level of 3 per cent.

“One thing is clear that nuclear energy will help provide energy security, energy independence and address climate change issue. The business communities of both sides have a very important role to play in making sure that they do continue. UK and Indian industries can explore number of opportunities in nuclear support, equipment manufacturing and installation, operation and maintenance, monitoring and control system and education and training,” she added.

As far as India’s regulatory set up for nuclear sector is concerned, Lady Judge said the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is doing fine job. “I do not expect India to follow regulatory set up of US, UK or other nuclear countries but should strengthen on its own. India’s regulatory system is well established,” she opined.