Cost of nuclear power proving high, Department of Atomic Energy in a fix..

 

As the cost of electricity generation by nuclear power plants, to be set up with the help of French and American companies, is turning out to be on the higher side, the Department of Atomic Energy is in a fix over how to bring down the cost.

On one hand, it is involved in hard negotiations with the companies and on the other hand, sources said, if the cost per unit turns out to be too expensive, then it may not even pursue the project with collaborators. The estimated cost by the DAE for Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant (JNPP) in Maharashtra is around Rs 9 per unit while the cost for Mithi Virdhi nuclear power project is around Rs 12 per unit.

Currently, the DAE is in negotiations with French company Areva to build six EPR reactors of 1650 MW each at Jaitapur. Sources pointed out that initial estimates state the cost of the project to be around Rs 27-30 crore per megawatt and the cost per unit to be around Rs 9 per unit in 2021.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai last month, R K Sinha, DAE Secretary, had said a competitive per unit tariff of Rs 6.50 has been estimated in the year of completion of Jaitapur project in 2020-21.

In the case of Mithi Virdhi project where American company Westinghouse Electric is providing AP-1000 reactors, the cost per megawatt is coming to around Rs 40 crores while the cost per unit is around Rs 12.

Although this project is yet to reach the advanced negotiations stage, the DAE has already signed an Early Works Agreement with Westinghouse Electric.

The DAE is skeptical about the proposal due to its high cost. It states that the cost per unit from the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) unit 1 and 2 is around Rs 3.50 to Rs 4 per unit.

"If we take inflation into consideration, even then the cost is very high. We are also answerable to people. Plus, there is a lot of opposition to nuclear projects where we have foreign collaborators.

If nothing works out, then we will, perhaps, have to back out because of the high electricity generation cost from the project," a senior DAE official said.

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AREVA has achieved first steam production at R-Power's CSP Plant in Rajasthan...

 

AREVA has completed a major milestone in the commissioning of its concentrated solar power (CSP) plant by achieving the first steam production.

This solar plant, which integrates AREVA’s compact linear Fresnel reflector technology, is Asia’s largest CSP installation. Located at Dhursar in the state of Rajasthan, it will be operated by Reliance Power Limited.

Reliance Power Limited, a part of Reliance Group, is India's leading private sector power generation company.

The initial steam operation is a critical step in the plant’s connection to the electrical grid as part of the ongoing commissioning. Commercial operation is planned for March 2014.

“The project is part of India’s energy program which aims to install 20,000 MW of solar power capacity in the country by 2022,” said Sam Shakir, CEO of AREVA Solar. “This plant built by AREVA will avoid approximately 557,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year compared to a similar sized coal-fired power plant.”

AREVA is a global supplier of CSP solutions for large-scale standalone power plants, power augmentation of fossil-fired power plants and solar hybrid applications.

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Pre-commissioning of RPower's 100 MW CSP Project started; commissioning by March-14...

 

Reliance Power said it has begun pre-commissioning activities at its 100 MW CSP (concentrated solar power) project in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan.

The project based on CLFR (compact linear Fresnel reflector) technology by AREVA and is being built at a cost of Rs 2,100 crore, adjacent to a 40 MW solar photovoltaic plant commissioned by the company last year.

The project is set to be commissioned by March 2014, RPower said.

The project is financed by multilateral agencies such as the Asian Development Bank, US Exim Bank, FMO of the Netherlands and Axis Bank.

Rajasthan Sun Technique Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Power, was awarded the CSP project in December 2010 by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (a subsidiary of NTPC) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.

The total power generated by the plant will be supplied to NVVN for a 25-year period.

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Hinduja signs agreement for Solar Projects with French firms...

The Hinduja Group on Tuesday signed agreements with leading French firms for road infrastructure projects as well as development of solar energy in India.

Hinduja Group is one of the largest diversified groups in the world spanning all the continents. The Group employs over 40,000 people and has offices in many key cities of the world and all the major cities in India. Merchant Banking and Trade were the first two businesses of the group. Since the company has diversified and is now active in Banking & Finance, Transport, Energy (Oil & Power) as well as the new economy of Technology, Media and Telecom.

The joint venture for development of road infrastructure projects was signed with France-based Vinci Group.

Spark Network believes that Hinduja Group has signed the agreement with the French energy major Areva.

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Nuclear agreement between Indian and France signed...

India and France were planning to enter into a framework agreement on nuclear sector. On Monday, both the countries inked the agreement for sourcing two reactors from French nuclear major Areva SA along with an assurance on uranium supplies.

The framework agreement envisages the sale of nuclear reactors, fuel and services worth about EURO 7 billion (or around Rs 42,000 crore at current exchange rates).

The units are of 1650 MWe each. Units will be supplied to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). Areva said it will take around 5-6 years to commission these units. The units are planned in Jaitapur (Maharashtra)

It also envisages partnerships between the Areva and the (NPCIL) to prepare for the construction of the two reactors from early 2011, she said. Details of the pricing of the reactor units, and the terms of the fuel sales are to be worked out in the final contract.

The French firm has assured India on the supply of uranium fuel for the 60-year life of the reactor, with the initial fuel pact spanning 25 years for the two units that are slated to come on stream in 2018.

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Nuclear contract for 2 N-Reactors is likely between Indian and France.

Spark Network found that France and India are likely to sign a framework contract during President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to India for the sale of at least two French atomic reactors but a final deal could take another six months.

The deal is for French nuclear group Areva to supply two reactors estimated at around 7 billion euros ($9.4 billion).

Areva has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nuclear Power Corp of India (NPCIL) for the sale and India has given the green light for construction.

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Areva T&D bags Rs 1.5 billion order from Indiabulls for supplying generator transformers package for the latter's power projects in Maharashtra

 

Areva T&D India Ltd said on Wednesday it had bagged a contract worth Rs 150 crore from Indiabulls for supplying the generator transformers package for the latter's power projects in Maharashtra. The order for the two upcoming projects - at Nandgaonpeth, Amravati district, (5x270MW) and Sinnar, Nasik district (5x270MW) - would be executed by the second quarter of 2012. Under the terms of the contract, Areva T&D India will supply a power transformer package with 5x330MVA, 400kV generator transformers, 2x63MVA, 400kV station transformers, 10x20MVA unit transformers, including supervision of erection, testing and commissioning.

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