The Hindu Business Line : Nuclear major Areva calls India `first priority' market

THE CHAIRPERSON of the Executive Board of Areva, Ms Anne Lauvergeon, with the Minister for Science, Technology and Ocean Development, Mr Kapil Sibal (left), and the FICCI President, Mr S.K. Poddar, at a meeting in the Capital on Thursday. — Kamal Narang

New Delhi , July 20

French nuclear major Areva, the world's largest manufacturer of nuclear reactors, said on Thursday that it would make India one of its "first priorities" once the Indo-US nuclear deal goes through.

"We are willing to be a major player in nuclear programme. As soon as the international framework will allow it, the Indian market will be one of our first priorities," the Areva's Executive Board Chairperson, Ms Anne Lauvergeon, said here at a meeting organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Areva already has a presence in the transmission and distribution segment in India.

An accord on sharing technology to develop civil nuclear energy was signed between India and France during a visit in February this year by the French President, Mr Jacques Chirac, here.

Ms Lauvergeon said Areva's strategy involves "fully recognising the existing competence and knowhow of Indian industry." "We expect that a significant share of an `EPR reactor' will be manufactured here. And there is a potential to source in India some components to other international markets," she said.

The EPR is Areva's next-generation European Pressurised Reactor.

"I hope that the expected opening of the nuclear market in India will speed up the implementation of the Indian civilian nuclear power programme and Areva will support the Indian Government and Indian industries in that direction," Ms Lauvergeon said.

25% share by 2025

Speaking later at the meeting, the Minister for Science, Technology and Ocean Development, Mr Kapil Sibal, said that by the year 2025, India hoped to produce 25 per cent of its power generation from nuclear energy as compared to only 2.7 per cent now.

He, however, said for this to happen, an assurance of consistent nuclear fuel supply was required from the Western countries as the present uranium reserves in the country were sufficient only for generating 10,000 MW of nuclear power.

"Nuclear energy not only needs to be affordable but also accessible. What India needs is an assured supply of uranium on a long-term basis," Mr Sibal said.