The primary builder of nuclear plants in India has reached an agreement to begin negotiations on Westinghouse AP1000 reactor construction in the state of Gujarat, the Pennsylvania-based company announced Wednesday.
Nuclear Power Company of India Limited signed a memorandum of understanding to begin negotiating an early works agreement for AP1000 construction at the Mithivirdi site. The later agreement will include preliminary licensing and site development work, according to a Westinghouse release. The company characterized the deal as reflecting progress toward implementation of an India-U.S. civil nuclear agreement signed in 2008.
"This agreement is an important step, which will allow Westinghouse and NPCIL to continue the work necessary for keeping the Mithivirdi project moving forward," Westinghouse India Managing Director Gary Urquhart said in the release.
According to the World Nuclear Association, the Mithivirdi site (also known as Mithi Virdi or Chayamithi Virdi) is one of six nuclear energy parks envisioned by NPCIL. Each is planned to generate upwards of 10,000 megawatts using up to eight reactors. Plans call for six US-designed reactors at Mithivirdi, where NPCIL has initiated pre-project activities, according to the WNA.
A newly retired NPCIL executive told an Indian newspaper recently that the company has plans to begin construction on 16 reactors within the next five years at a cost of $40 billion.