Areva to sign MoU with NPCIL

Mumbai: French energy major Areva will sign an accord with the State-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) next month for setting up two reactors in Maharashtra.

This follows the Intergovernmental Agreement between India and France on civil nuclear co-operation. “As a follow up to the Intergovernmental Agreement, we will be signing an MoU with Areva most likely on February 4 for setting up of two French reactors, ” NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director, Mr S.K. Jain, said.

“Details of setting up of the plants will take place in due course of time and the projects are expected to begin as soon as formalities with IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) is completed on safeguards agreement,” Mr Jain said.

Last month, NPCIL and Areva had signed a contract agreement for 300 tonnes of uranium to augment the power production of the fuel starved indigenous plants. Regarding signing of a ‘confidentiality’ or a ‘non-disclosure’ agreement with the US energy majo r Westinghouse Electric, which was likely to take place this week, Mr Jain said, “the agreement has gone for approval and once it is approved, it will be signed.”