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M. Ramesh

Chennai, Sept. 6 Public sector power equipment major BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd) and private sector infrastructure major GMR Group are among those who anticipate big business opportunities in the field of nuclear power generation.

BHEL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Mr K. Ravi Kumar, told Business Line today that the company was talking to Siemens, Alstom and Areva for technology for steam generators and turbines of 700 MW, 1,000 MW and 1,600 MW capacities. BHEL will go with one of them, but even that is only for starters.

Eventually, BHEL also intends to build nuclear reactors, for which it would formally initiate talks with GE (General Electric) and Areva. Mr Ravi Kumar said that in both reactors as well as in other equipment, BHEL would work jointly with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India.

GMR Energy’s Head, Mr Raaj Kumar, told Business Line that the group has “the organisation in place” for entering nuclear power generation and is looking for a technology source.

“We are talking to companies in the US, Canada, France and Korea,” he said.

What does the Indian partner bring to the table? “Manufacturing,” said Mr Ravi Kumar. All these equipment will be extremely costly to make abroad and bring into India.

Both BHEL and GMR (like other companies such as Reliance and L&T) are hopeful of big opportunities in nuclear power generation.

How much of nuclear power will the Indo-US deal lead on to?

Answers are varied. Some say not more than 20,000 MW, some believe otherwise. Calling this “a momentous day”, Dr M.R. Srinivasan, former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, told Business Line that, over time (by 2050) as much as 300,000 MW is possible.

More Stories on : Outlook | Power | Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd

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