Indian sites confirmed for US reactors

30 September 2009

India's cabinet has confirmed two coastal sites as being reserved for nuclear power parks of up to eight US-origin reactors each. These are at Mithi Virdi in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat state, and Kovada in Andhra Pradesh. The move was welcomed by the US-India Business Council (USIBC). Ron Somers, president of the USIBC, said: "Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat are both excellent locations. They have people who appreciate the benefits of reliable electricity supplies, and abundant human talent to erect and maintain these state-of-the-art facilities." However, the USIBC noted that "a few important steps still remain to enable full participation" by both US and Indian private sector companies. These include India's bringing into force the India-specific International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards agreement and the country's adoption of a nuclear liability law. GE Hitachi and Westinghouse areĀ in the frame to provide a number of their ABWR or AP1000 reactors on each site. The Indian government has already confirmed that Jaitapur in Maharashtra state is reserved for six French EPR units, while Haripur in West Bengal will house up to eight Russian VVER units.