nuclear-news

Russia manipulating to avoid India’s Nuclear Liability Law

Russia’s concern over liability law may delay new Kudankulam pacts, The Hindu Priscilla Jebaraj, 4 Dec 10, Decision not taken to accept liability: Atomstroyexport MOSCOW: Russian reservations about the implications of India’s nuclear liability law may be delaying the contracts for two nuclear power reactors to be built in Kudankulam, in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
“A decision has not been taken to accept liability,” said Georgy O. Kumani, vice-president of Atomstroyexport, Russia’s state-owned firm to handle international nuclear projects, during a visit to its headquarters in Moscow. “From the point of view of the two companies, it is a very complicated issue. It is not easy to reflect in the contract documents,” he said.

Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of the State-owned nuclear company Rosatom, is building two 1,000 MW reactors in Kudankulam in a collaborations with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and is in negotiations to build more………….Mr. Kumani’s apprehensions indicate hurdles to be overcome before Russia will sign on the dotted line for the contracts to build the third and fourth reactors. India’s Civil Nuclear Liability Act, passed by Parliament earlier this year makes the supplier of a nuclear reactor liable in case of an accident…….

the Atomstroyexport is also making efforts to “localise” its operations in India, initially by transferring equipment to the NPCIL. It is also enhancing collaborations with the Indian machine building industry, and is negotiating with Larsen and Toubro to set up a joint venture to manufacture equipment for nuclear plants. The venture could then be responsible for ensuring the supply of spare parts and replaceable equipment to the Kudankulam reactors….

The Hindu : Front Page : Russia’s concern over liability law may delay new Kudankulam pacts

December 6, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, politics, Russia