Earlier, the Government at the highest level gave the impression the Indian private sector companies like Reliance Power, Tata Power and Larsen & Toubro will have to wait for long before entering the nuclear power business as the Government has no intention to bring about any amendment to the APA at an early date. The developments on the nuclear power business in the last few months has sent signals to the Government that the task is huge and both the public sector and the private sector companies should be given the share of this burgeoning nuclear power business.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd is presently the main Indian nodal public sector agency which is dealing with the nuclear power business. The public sector NTPC and BHEL are planning joint ventures in nuclear power sectors. BHEL plans five joint ventures in the nuclear power business and has initiated talks with global giants like Areva of France, Toshiba of Japan, Westinghouse of the US and GE Hitachi for building reactors. The joint venture for building steam generators for reactors will include a foreign partner in addition to NPCIL.BHEL is in talks with a major European firm and has assured to give 30 to 35 per cent stake in the JV. This JV is expected to build 1,000 to 1600 MW generators.

France has taken full advantage of the exemption given to India by the Nuclear Suppliers Group in respect of conducting nuclear trade and the French company Areva has worked out a massive business plan for India in the nuclear power sector. Areva has proposed setting up joint ventures with Bharat Forge, BHEL and NPCIL. Areva, which is planning a large-scale nuclear reactor forgings facility in India with Bharat Forge, will invest over Rs. 2,000 crore in two shell companies. Areva has also announced new development plans for India including a proposal to build two new European Pressurised Reactors (EPR) each with an output excess of 1600Mw.The company is having discussions with the Indian Government to supply reactors for setting up a nuclear power park in Maharashtra. The Government plans to set up five such parks, each with an investment of Rs.40,000 to Rs. 50,000 crore.

During the recent visit of the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, India gave assurance to the US to allow the US companies to have business in the nuclear power sector to the tune of 10,000 MW of power. Sources indicate that Westinghouse Electric owned by Toshiba and the JV GE-Hitachi are the frontrunners in getting the contracts. Latest estimates indicate that India's nuclear power programme offers an opportunity worthUS$60 billion for the global nuclear industry as India plans to add about 60,000 MW capacity by 2022.

As of now, India is committing Rs. 180,000 crore for the production of 30,000 Mw of nuclear power by three countries-Russia, France and the US. While the Russian side is present at the Kudankulam plants for a long time, the US and the French will be the new ones after the NSG exemption to India. (IPA)