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U.S. trade mission to visit hubs of Indian nuclear industry

Sandeep Dikshit

Mulford dispels misinformation about U.S. nuclear industry
High-level Russian delegation to visit Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu next week

NEW DELHI: The U.S. will be launching a major initiative to showcase its technological expertise in the nuclear energy sector next month. The trade mission, which will visit most hubs of the Indian nuclear industry, includes executives from major nuclear reactor technology manufacturers, nuclear energy engineering and consulting firms, suppliers of nuclear fuel, conversion technologies and radiation analysis experts.

“I can confirm that U.S. companies are interested, under the right conditions, in participating in and trading with India in the commercial nuclear industry,” Ambassador to India David Mulford said here on Friday at a Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) roundtable that was also attended by U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Dale Klein. Prime Minister’s Special Envoy Shyam Saran, who was listed as a speaker, preferred to distance himself from the public engagement; instead he had a private conversation with the NRC chief.

Although a couple of steps remain before India engages in civil nuclear commerce, companies and countries have begun making exploratory visits. Dr. Klein’s arrival here too is part of that process and he will be going to Mumbai to meet members of the Indian nuclear establishment.

Next week, a high-level Russian delegation is scheduled to visit Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu where it has offered to set up additional nuclear plants.

Pointing out that “a few more small reactors that produce power for an inefficient electric power system will not produce results that India is looking for,” Mr. Mulford advocated a public-private civilian nuclear strategy that establishes “sound, transparent policies” to lay the groundwork for largescale and competitive electricity production.

Dispelling misinformation about the U.S. civil nuclear industry having been out of business for almost 30 years, he said that for the last 15 years, the U.S. industry had remained in the forefront of developments. In nuclear power generating capacity, it ranked number one in the world with 27 per cent of the world’s total. It had the largest number of nuclear reactors (104) which were “the most efficient and competitive” in the world.

The Indo-U.S. civil nuclear deal was a “historic accomplishment” and the Ambassador hoped that India would become the “birth place” of a major international civil nuclear industry. But he cautioned that “what comes next will be no less difficult than what has already been achieved.” Building a large, world class, civil nuclear industry in India will take time, capital, ingenuity, competitive technology, a sound regulatory architecture, private sector input, and a true political commitment to excellence.

Great deal of activity

Dr. Klein also endorsed Mr. Mulford’s observations by observing that there is “currently a great deal of activity” in the U.S. nuclear energy sector. The NRC has received 17 applications for 26 reactors so far and the numbers could rise to two dozen applications for 30 reactors by 2009 end. In addition, there were several applications for upgrades and licence renewals.

As the NRC is also responsible for processing export, import applications, Dr. Klein assured that it is making every effort to maintain a four-month schedule for reviewing applications for export licences.

Laying down his agenda for India, the NRC chief pointed out that it was expensive for regulatory auSthorities to work in a vacuum.

He cited the case of China, which has announced plans to build new reactors based on a design certified by the NRC.

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