The Hindu Business Line : NTPC looking at TN as location for nuclear foray

New Delhi April 14 NTPC Ltd could kick off its nuclear foray with a 2,000 MWe station in Tamil Nadu, most likely to be located in or near Koodankulam. The State Government has agreed to provide nearly 1,000 acres of land to NTPC for the project, which is likely to be based on imported uranium.

Koodankulam is also the site where a Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) project is under advanced stages of construction.

"We are still in discussions... the Tamil Nadu Government has offered us land for the project and is eager that the plant be set up in or near Koodankulam," an NTPC official said.

NTPC had been scouting for potential sites in Western and Southern States over the last two years to set up its first nuclear station. Besides Tamil Nadu, the utility has also been looking at Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra for possible sites. "The primary consideration is that water is available and the area is unpopulated," an NTPC official said.

The Rs 30,000-crore company is also bullish on tying up Russian technology for the first project, with Russian firm Atomstroyexport — which is already extending technical assistance to NPCIL — among the frontrunners. "Russian civilian nuclear technology is still among the best in the world. Currently, only Russia has specific agreements with India, which can be used to expedite our nuclear plans, especially in light of the uncertainties of Indo-US deal negotiations," a senior NTPC official said.

Being a State-owned company, it does not have to wait for the Atomic Energy Act to be amended for its nuclear foray, unlike private sector aspirants to the sector. The company has already received a formal Government clearance to enter into nuclear power generation and has amended its articles of association to enter the sector.

Though NTPC is primarily looking at Russian technology in view of easier access to nuclear fuel, the company would wait for the Indo-US civilian nuclear pact and the subsequent Nuclear Suppliers Group agreement to be finalised before deciding on sourcing of uranium imports, officials said. Besides the Russians, it has been talking to international players such as US firms GE Energy and Thorium Power.

The foray into nuclear power is part of the company's strategy to diversify its power generation base. NTPC aims to set up 2,000 MW of nuclear power generation by the middle of the Twelfth Plan. Simultaneously, the company will start work on two power plants of 2,000 MW each.

Related Stories:
NTPC board approves nuclear foray

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