On March 2016, India signed a memorandum of understanding with the French Company Electricite De France ( EDF), to build 6 reactors and both sides wished to conclude the deal by the end of 2016. But India’s Atomic Energy commission just announced that Jaitapur project may be cancelled with the French due to the cost of construction.
India is comparing the cost of production of upcoming Jaitapur nuclear power plant with Kudankulam nuclear power plant (KNPP) unit 3 & 4 which is being established with the cooperation of Russia. KNPP unit 3 & 4 is the cheapest of all the foreign built nuclear power plants in India which is expected to sell electricity at a cost of $0.06.
According to Ravi Grover, member of the Atomic Energy Commission of India, India is still negotiating with EDF on the construction financing and electricity, as Jaitapur is not competitive at this stage. He further added this aspect is the key element to start the construction of the nuclear power plant in Jaitapur.
Note:
About Ravi Grover:
Is an Indian nuclear scientist and a mechanical engineer from the prestigious Delhi college of Engineering, and a PHD from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He is the founding chancellor of Homi Bhabha National Institute and a member of the Atomic Energy Commission of India.
About Jaitapur:
The Jaitapur nuclear project is to be spread over 968 hectares of land. EDF will construct six reactors with a capacity of 1650 MW each at Jaitapur in Maharashtra. After completion, this will be one of the largest nuclear parks in the world.
