Both the PSUs have signed an MOU to float the JVC to carry out engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities for nuclear power plants within the country as well as overseas on mutually beneficial terms.

Core strengths

Through the JVC, to be owned by BHEL and NPCIL, the two companies will work jointly to complement their respective core strengths in the areas of nuclear power generation, a BHEL spokesperson said.

The JVC will explore and evaluate the various technology options available for steam turbine generator sets (STGS) of 700 MW rating and above and also help in development of BHEL as an indigenous source capable of designing and manufacturing STGS of these ratings to meet the needs of various nuclear projects proposed to be set up in the country in future, the spokesperson further pointed out. 

The MOU was signed by the BHEL Chairman and Managing Director  K Ravi Kumar and the NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director S K Jain in the presence of Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Sontosh Mohan Dev and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission Anil Kakodkar.

BHEL designed, manufactured and commissioned equipment accounts for around 80 per cent of NPCIL’s installed capacity of 4,120 MW.

The company has so far supplied state-of-the-art power generating equipment of various ratings corresponding to nearly 3,280 MW for various Nuclear Power Plants. NPCIL, as a utility, and BHEL, as an EPC contractor, have worked together on several NPCIL projects. 

BHEL is also presently executing several contracts for NPCIL for equipment supply and erection, which are in various stages of progress.

Prestigious contract

This includes a prestigious contract for the turbine generator and secondary side equipment for the first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) of 500 MW rating, being set up by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.

The unit is scheduled for commissioning during the Eleventh Plan.
“BHEL has been a major partner in NPCIL’s vision to achieve self-reliance in nuclear energy and its association with NPCIL began in 1970 with the development of technology and manufacture of prototype channel covers and heavy water headers,” the BHEL spokesperson pointed out.