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French firm Areva, the world's largest reactor manufacturer, has committed to sharing technical information with India to ensure the safe operation of its EPR reactor-based project at Jaitapur.
In the wake of the incident in Japan, nuclear experts have raised fresh concerns on the inadequate level of information exchange between Western nuclear equipment vendors and operators using these reactors in other countries. The deficit, experts warn, could prove detrimental in case of an exigency.
Mr Arthur De Montalembert, Chairman and Managing Director, Areva India Pvt Ltd said, “We at Areva have already offered information sharing and training systems to India and to NPCIL in particular, in order to ensure safe and reliable operation of the reactors. We remain open to new ideas in that direction,”
He said that Areva has already undertaken technical information sharing with Indian partners, such as L&T, to manufacture components for global customers. “Areva is more than willing to support India's already highly robust nuclear power programme and help put it on the world stage.”
Fukushima factor
A group of 15 nuclear experts had recently written to the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency on the need to beef up safety post-Fukushima, in the interest of the future of the nuclear industry. One of the suggestions was that “Nuclear Power Project vendor countries should establish centres to train specialists for nuclear technology in recipient countries.”
On whether any specific additional safety features might be necessitated in the EPR design after the Fukushima incident, Mr Montalembert said he did not envisage any major changes in the reactor design.
“As you are aware, there is a global safety check going on under the responsibility of nuclear safety regulators in each and every country having nuclear power plants in operation or in construction. There may be lessons to learn from the Fukushima accident in three areas: design robustness, operations and crisis management,” he said.
As far as the third generation EPR design is concerned, there is no major change expected for the EPR because of its “very high safety level”. “Nevertheless, we are ready to address any query from nuclear safety regulators,” he added.
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