REL has approached the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) with a proposal to set up nuclear energy-based power projects in the country.
NEW DELHI: Reliance Energy Ltd (REL) has approached the state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) with a proposal to set up nuclear energy-based power projects in the country.
The offer of cooperation is for expansion of existing projects, as well as for setting up of greenfield projects. Senior REL executives plan to meet with NPCIL officials on this.
Participation of private companies in nuclear power plants is currently restricted though the government is mulling over a proposal to open up the sector to private companies through amendment in the existing laws.
REL in its letter to NPCIL chairman and managing director SK Jain noted that the signing of nuclear cooperation between India and the US has opened new doors and that the two companies can together set up one or more mega nuclear power projects at pre-identified sites in the country.
REL has earlier executed contracts for NPCIL, including setting up main electrical system packages for its 2x220 mw nuclear power plant at Kaiga, Karnataka and 2x220 mw nuclear power plant at Kota, Rajasthan.
The Anil Ambani-controlled REL is not the only firm to have approached NPCIL, which is the only company mandated by the government to set up power plants so far.
Public sector NTPC Ltd has also sought cooperation on its proposal to set up a 2,000 mw nuclear plant by 2017. It has appointed consultants for taking these plans forward.
Over the next decade, India is expected to add 20,000-40,000 mw nuclear power capacity to the existing 3,310 mw. At the current level, nuclear energy constitutes only 3% of the installed capacity in the country.
However, with the Indo-US deal expected to open up the market for nuclear fuel, including natural uranium, the share of nuclear power is set to go up.
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