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India's NTPC is looking for global partners to help build 15 GW of nuclear reactors

India's NTPC is looking for global partners to help build 15 GW of nuclear reactors

NTPC is India's largest power producer and it has issued a tender to find global partners for the construction of large nuclear reactors. The capacity will be around 15 gigawatts combined. This is the first significant tender since India opened up this highly-protected industry.

The tender stated that the state-run company which runs primarily coal-fired power plants is seeking partners to assist in setting up nuclear power plants based on pressurized-water reactor technology and to commit to a life-time supply of nuclear fuel.

The partner must have the approval of the relevant authorities in their country and comply with Indian policy, including having a or obtaining a license for technology offered, NTPC stated in its tender published last Thursday.

The Atomic Energy Act of India of 1962 prohibits private investment in nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 imposes strict liability on foreign firms like GE and Westinghouse.

In early February, India announced that it would amend its Nuclear Liability Law to encourage foreign and private investment.

The state-run Nuclear Power Corp of India currently operates the nearly 8 GW of capacity in the country, and aims to increase that to 20 GW before 2032. India aims to reach at least 100 GW in nuclear power by 2047.

NTPC plans to build 30 GW over the next 20 years at a cost $62 billion. This was reported in February. Sethuraman N.R., Savio D.Souza (reporting)

(source: Reuters)