Rosatom to join hands with Indian firmsRussia's Rosatom to join hands with Indian firms
Vladimir RadyuhinRussia's state-owned nuclear corporation plans to set up joint ventureswith Indian companies to manufacture power generation equipment.
Atomenergomash (AEM), an affiliated company of the Atomic EnergyCorporation Rosatom, is to launch two JVs in India before the end of thecurrent year, the company head was quoted as saying here.
Atomenergomash Director Vladimir Kashchenko said his company was intalks with Walchandnagar Industries (WIL), Larsen & Toubro ltd, andDM Corporation.
Experienced
“These companies have experience, technological base, and engineering and construction potential,” Mr. Kashchenko told the RBC-Daily.“They are familiar with the technology and possess the necessaryresource. Producers of turbines and boilers are among the candidates.”
Rosatom is finishing the construction of two nuclear power reactors ofthe Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu. In March 2010 Russiaand India signed a contract for the construction of a third and forthreactors for the Kudankulam NPP.
With its thrust on developing an indigenous nuclear energy programme,India insists on a 60-per-cent indigenous component in foreign-builtnuclear power plants. AEM also views India as a bridgehead for enteringother Asian markets where Rosatom plans to build NPPs — Vietnam,Bangladesh, and China.
Localisation
“We see India as a platform for regional localisation,” Mr. Kashchenkosaid. “All the plants we are looking at are located on the western coastwhere the workforce and infrastructure are concentrated.”
The AEM head said the Indian JVs may also export its equipment to South America and Africa.
According to Russian experts, it costs 15 per cent less to set upproduction in India than in Russia thanks to cheaper labour, whichaccounts for 25 to 30 per cent of the overall production costs.