nuclear-news

Paris, May 28, 2013 “….the unending delay in signing the commercial agreement with French major Areva for building two nuclear reactors at Jaitapur, Maharastra is  threatening to derail the economics of the project. Christian Lechervy, Special Advisor to French President and incharge for Strategic Affairs & Asia Pacific told HT that the delay in signing the commercial pact with Areva will not only penalize the seller but will also affect the consumers……

Areva had in 2010 signed a framework agreement with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) to build two of the new generation European Pressurised Reactors (EPR) of 1650 MW each as part of Phase I with an option to build four more.

But amidst protests by locals — concerned over safety issues following the Fukushima accident — and confusion over some clauses of civil nuclear liability law that puts the onus on suppliers in case of accidents, the commercial pact has not been signed as yet resulting in the project failing to take off the ground.

The delay has not only resulted in Areva rescheduling the original 2017 date for commissioning the reactors but company officials said it will also lead to an escalation in the cost of power to be generated. Currently the per unit cost of power has been fixed at Rs. 4.

“No way that the EPR would start by 2017. More the delay, the unit cost would get affected. The Rs. 4 per unit tariff is meant for plants starting in 2017,” said Arthur De Montalembert, executive vice-president, business development, international commercial organization at Areva…… http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Europe/Jaitapur-nuclear-plant-headed-for-delay-Areva/Article1-1067427.aspx