Delhi is expected to sign a deal with the US-based Westinghouse Electric Company LLC to build six nuclear reactors in India in the first half of 2016 to get country’s $150b worth of nuclear power plans off the ground, a senior official of the Indian government said, Reuters reported.
India is seeking to dramatically increase its nuclear potential by installing around 60 new nuclear power reactors with an overall capacity to rise to 63,000 MW by 2032, up from the current 5,780 MW.
The plan is a part of India’s long-term energy strategy to move away from fossil fuels, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and avoid the dangerous effects of climate change.
The government official said that the pending ratification of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC) that would give a green light to the nuclear deals is also expected to be signed within weeks.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Russian President, Vladimir Putin have agreed that Moscow will set up 12 Russian built VVER 1200 reactors with a rated capacity of 1,200 MW in the country, The Economic Times informed. The deal was one of 16 bilateral agreements on civil nuclear energy, defense, and hydrocarbon signed during Modi’s official visit to Moscow, another report stated.
According to Bloomberg, Indian law allows operators to hold suppliers responsible for accidents, making international equipment makers hesitant to sign deals with the country.
