INDIA | FOCUS ON ASIA
partial boiling at the coolant channel outlet, even though the number of coolant channels stays the same as before. Particularly noteworthy are the enhanced safety features of the IPHWR-700, such as the interleaving of primary heat transport system feeders, to reduce the core void coefficient and minimise reactor over-power during a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). The IPHWR-700 also incorporates a passive decay heat removal system, regional over-power protection, a containment spray system, a mobile fuel transfer machine and a steel liner on the inner containment wall. The passive decay heat condenser is capable of removing up to three percent decay heat. The IPHWR-700’s emergency core cooling system (ECCS) consists of passive high-pressure injection, followed by an active long-term recirculation phase for removal of decay heat, using ‘all-headers’ injection for this purpose. Along with new IPHWR-700s, India also continues to build
Russian VVER-1000s. End-June 2021 saw the first pour of concrete on Kudankulam Nuclear Power Station (KKNPS) 5&6. Both units are being built at a cost of $6.65 billion at current exchange rates. Kudankulam 5 is scheduled to take 66 months from first pour of concrete to completion, while Kudankulam 6 is expected to take 75 months. At the moment, KKNPS 1&2 are operational, while KKNPS 3&4 have achieved about 50 percent physical progress in terms of construction. Though KKNPS 1 has achieved a decent plant load factor in recent times, KKNPS 2 seems to be operating at only around half its nameplate capacity at the moment.
Jaitapur project India continues to be interested in importing Western PWR technology. This is evidenced by recent forward movement on the Jaitapur nuclear power project (JNPP), which received in-principle approval back in 2009. Despite pandemic-related travel complications, the
governments of India and France facilitated interactions between EDF and NPCIL which allowed EDF to submit to NPCIL a binding techno-commercial offer on 22 April 2021 to build six third-generation EPR-1650 nuclear reactors at Jaitapur. The fact that discussions took place in trying times pursuant to the delivery and receipt of the binding offer is itself being seen as a mark of seriousness in both countries. According to EDF chairman and CEO Jean-Bernard Levy: ‘The submission of EDF’s binding techno-commercial offer
for the Jaitapur project is a major step forward for the Group and the French nuclear industry. This key milestone has been achieved thanks to the trust-based relationship built over time with our Indian partner, and the excellent collaboration and continuous efforts of the EDF and NPCIL teams. This is yet another significant step towards the materialisation of this flagship project for our great nations, and the establishment of a long-term partnership in the civil nuclear field between both our leading nuclear industries.’ EDF’s binding offer follows a non-binding offer made
in 2018, which was preceded by an Industrial Way Forward Agreement (IWFA) signed between NPCIL and EDF the same year. It is the IWFA that outlined the broad terms of cooperation and the binding offer derives from the script of that document. As such, the binding offer in the main
consists of: ● the detailed technical configuration of the reactors, taking into account the information provided by NPCIL on the Jaitapur site conditions and the joint comprehensive work performed by EDF and NPCIL
● the associated comprehensive commercial terms and conditions for the supply of engineering studies and equipment for six EPR reactors
As desired by NPCIL and enshrined in the IWFA, EDF has taken responsibility for engineering and procurement. EDF also guarantees the performance of each of the six EPR units under specific conditions and for a predefined period of time, and will train NPCIL’s future operating teams. In the assessment of this writer, the result is that the Indian-origin content of these reactors will be far less than it could have been had the arrangement been similar to what was decided for Taishan 1, where the Chinese decided to keep most EPC activities for themselves. In fact, the first two units at JNPP are likely to have an overwhelming amount of imported content. EDF has said that it will rely upon the know-how of its subsidiary Framatome to supply the engineering studies and equipment for the six nuclear steam supply systems, and will partner with its historical partner GE Steam Power for the supply of the engineering studies and equipment of the six conventional islands, all of which are to be equipped with the French ArabelleTM steam turbine. U
www.neimagazine.com | August 2021 | 23
Above (far left): Kakrapar Atomic Power Station Unit 3 Photo Credit: Courtesy of Department of Atomic Energy, India
Above (from left to right): The start of concrete pouring for Kudankulam 5 in June Photo Credit: Rosatom
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