India likely to export nuclear power technology

KAIGA (KARNATAKA): India may soon become an exporter of nuclear power technology with at least two South Asian countries having approached the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to develop plants for them.

Acording to NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director SK Jain two countries have approached them to develop 220 MW plants and to train the personnel necessary to man the plants.

Refusing to name the countries, Jain said their delegations had already met him and were shown existing plants, designs, schedules, costing and safety parts, all of which had met with their approval.

"However, since we at present do not have sanction to export nuclear technology we will have to wait until it is granted by the international community," Jain said.

He was speaking to reporters after unit 3 of Kaiga Atomic Power Station achieved criticality on Monday after its first self-sustained thermo-nuclear reaction.

Jain said NPCIL plans to construct eight 700 MW units and ten 1,000 MW units in five years.

"Construction of these projects matches the progress made in mining of uranium in the country, whose supply is expected to double. By the time construction of the plants is completed there will be sufficient fuel for them," Jain said.

NPCIL has identified nine sites where they could construct the new plants, in addition to maximising the number of plants in their existing stations.

The Kaiga power station would be one, with possibility of two 700 MW units being added in the future after government approval, Jain said.

With the country's nuclear power capacity expected to multiply, NPCIL will look to generate 65,000 MW by 2032, Jain said.