Engineering and project management firm AMEC is to pursue opportunities for nuclear new build in India with a new partner, Hindustan Construction Co. Limited (HCC).
The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at bringing their collective design, safety and project management experience to new civil nuclear projects.
The announcement came in late September as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the country would see a major increase in nuclear power generation over the next 40 years to help combat rising electricity demand and global warming.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to join the nuclear power renaissance in India. This mutually advantageous partnership marks the beginning of a new nuclear era in India and we are proud to be part of it,” commented Didier Pfleger, Chief Operating Officer, Power and Process, AMEC.
India has the sixth largest electricity generating capacity in the world, with a total installed capacity of about 100 000 MW of which 2.5 per cent is nuclear. The government has revealed ambitious plans to enhance the current installed nuclear power capacity to 20 000 MW by 2020 and to 63 000 MW by 2032.
HCC has a proven track record in India’s nuclear power sector, having constructed 50 per cent of the country’s nuclear power capacity.
“This partnership will enhance India’s ability to implement new generation of nuclear power technologies,” said HCC Chairman & Managing Director Ajit Gulabchand. “HCC is the country’s leading player in nuclear power plant construction. AMEC, with its globally benchmarked nuclear technology experience, is the ideal partner to help us catapult India to the cutting edge of nuclear power generation.
“Our partnership will provide flexible and technology-independent platforms to reduce the cost of building new nuclear power plants in India.”
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