Alstom, in consortium with the Indian company BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited), has secured a contract from the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to supply the turbine generator package for the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) units 7 & 8, in India.
Alstom and BHEL will supply, install and commission the turbine generator packages for the power station’s two new 700 MW capacity units. The expansion of the existing capacity of the 1180 MW of RAPP nuclear power plant will help meet increasing demand for power in the country.
Alstom was previously awarded a contract for 2×700 MW units for the Kakrapar 3 and 4 nuclear power plant in Gujarat a year ago. Alstom’s has had a long standing relationship with NPCIL and BHEL. The first contract that Alstom executed for NPCIL was for Rajasthan unit 1 and unit 2 in 1973 and 1981. Thereafter it became the technology provider through BHEL for the 220 MW park for Kakrapar.
Patrick Fragman, Senior Vice President of Alstom’s nuclear business, said: "With India envisioning to increase the contribution of nuclear power to overall electricity generation capacity from 3.2 % to 9 % within 25 years, Alstom is well positioned to respond to the country’s ever-increasing electricity requirements.”
Nuclear power is currently the fourth largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydro and renewable energy. At present, India has 20 nuclear power units in operation, generating 4,780 MW. Seven reactors are under construction and will add 5,300 MW of nuclear power generation capacity.