French reactor vendor AREVA has signed agreements with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and engineering and construction conglomerate Larsen & Toubro for the preparation of the Jaitapur EPR project.
AREVA has signed a pre-engineering agreement with state-owned reactor operator NPCIL to prepare for licensing of the EPR for the Jaitapur project in Maharashtra, India. Jaitapur could host up to six 1650MW EPR units, according to a February 2009 agreement between AREVA and NPCIL.
A separate memorandum of understanding with L&T will "explore avenues of collaboration" for the future Jaitapur project, AREVA said.
Larsen & Toubro said the MoU offers the prospect of partnership between L&T and AREVA in manufacturing key nuclear island equipment, valves, piping, electrical, instrumentation and engineering work. Through the partnership, AREVA would transfer technology to utilise the forging capabilities of L&T Special Steels & Heavy Forgings (a joint venture with NPCIL) for the project.
"The MoU with AREVA represents a major step forward for L&T in the field of pressurised water reactor technology," L&T said. It will also support the Indian Government's 'Make in India' initiative and enhance the competitiveness of the Jaitapur project.
The agreements were signed during Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to France on 10 April.
Photo: Impression of Jaitapur project (Copyright AREVA, Image and process)
