Electricite de France (EDF) has signed a preliminary deal with Nuclear Power Corp of India (NPCIL) to build six European pressurised reactors (EPR) reactors at Jaitapur in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Each of the reactors to be deployed at the site will have 1650MW of energy output, which will lend the Jaitapur project a 10GW clean power generation capacity.
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The project has been long-delayed, and is now being taken over by EDF from French state-controlled group Areva.
Preliminary technical studies are currently being carried out at the site as a part of Areva’s pre-engineering studies contract with NPCIL that was signed last year.
Areva will be divesting its nuclear business unit to EDF within this year.
EDF will be continuing Areva’s work in co-ordination with NPCIL at the site for securing certification from the Indian safety authorities for the new reactors.
The firm will also evaluate the economic and financial conditions and the technical specifications of the project under supervision of the country’s nuclear regulator Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Reuters cited French President Francois Hollande as saying that the agreement for construction of the six reactors is likely to be finalised within a year.
Construction works for the project have been scheduled for early 2017.
Additionally, the French utility has signed a partnership agreement in onshore wind power with the SITAC Group to take more than 50% stake in SITAC Wind Management and Development.
The EDF-SITAC joint venture intends to set up four onshore wind farms totalling 142MW of capacity by the end of this year, in Gujarat, India.
EDF CEO Jean-Bernard Lévy said: "With CAP 2030, EDF’s strategic plan, the Group speeds up its development in low-carbon energies.
"I am also delighted with the prospect of EDF being able to establish a sustainable partnership with India, a country boasting exceptional economic vibrancy and dynamism, and one that, with its ambitious targets for tackling climate change, is clearly committed to the energy transition."
Image: EDF plans to develop low-carbon energy in India. Photo: courtesy of xedos4/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
