In a bid to make India a global player in nuclear power sector, the Modi government is contemplating to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the nuclear power area.
Mumbai: In a bid to make India a global player in nuclear power sector, the Modi government is contemplating to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the nuclear power area.
The decision, likely to be considered by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), would be a paradigm shift in India’s nuclear power policy, and subsequently open the gates for multinational companies to invest in the country’s nuclear energy projects.
After deliberations with the PMO, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has sought legal opinion from the Union Law Ministry on whether foreign investment can be allowed in the nuclear power sector, if the FDI policy is amended.
“The department (DAE) proposes to submit a report for consideration to the PMO after seeking guidance from the Atomic Energy Commission for amending the policy,” says the letter by Joint Secretary, DAE (Anushakti Bhawan), dated January 8 this year.
The letter, reviewed by IANS, further reveals that DAE’s view is clear on private equity in nuclear power sector.
“DAE’s stand is that the Atomic Energy Act in no way prohibits private sector participation in nuclear power projects,” the letter adds.
An official of the DAE explained the department’s stand in simpler words: “The Act allows private investment. However, the FDI policy of the government does not permit foreign investment in nuclear projects. Once the FDI policy is amended, it would open doors for more funds in the nuclear power sector.”
Sources said that several foreign companies, including Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) and GE-Hitachi of the US, Electricite de France (EDF) of France and Rosatom of Russia have expressed keen interest in participating in India’s nuclear power projects.
As per government sources, these MNCs are interested to invest in various areas such as technology, supplies or as contractors and service providers. However, these foreign companies can’t yet invest in the country’s increasing number of nuclear power projects, as the FDI policy does not permit them to do so.
In India, nuclear power is the fifth largest source of electricity after coal, gas, hydro-electricity and wind power. Till last year, India had 22 nuclear reactors installed in seven nuclear power plants spread across the country.
The nuclear power plants have total installed capacity of 6780 MW. Sources said that if FDI is allowed in the nuclear power sector, it would witness a very large scale expansion.
Dear all,
Shankar Sharma
This is another blow to the beginning of New Year. If it is true and if it gets implemented, there will be no end to our worries over the risks and costs associated with the nuclear power.
Despite my efforts for about 15 years to understand the overall objective of the nuclear power policy in the country and the valid reasons of the govt. to pursue nuclear power, I have no clue as yet on these issues. My letters to AEC, PM, VP of India, CAG etc. have not evoked even a single response; and none of the concerns expressed have been answered to even indirectly in public fora. The ambition to expand the nuclear power capacity has only increased without any rationale or without any diligent plan.
We have seen how the private players have created havoc with our environment due to a poor regulation regime in coal and hydro power sectors; and also in almost all other polluting industries. We also have reports from around the world as to how the private players are struggling to fulfill their commitments in nuclear power sector. There have been few cases of bankruptcies also. The cost and time over-runs are almost universal. Some of the private companies mentioned in the news item below are also known to be among such companies. Corruption, ignorance and irresponsibility seem to be common factors in our governance.
Objectively considering all these issues from the perspective of overall welfare of our country, one can only say :”May the Almighty save our people”.
Regards
Power Policy Analyst
Anugraha, 5th Cross, 80 ft Road
Vijayanagar 1st stage, Sagara,
Karnataka – 577 401
Phone: ++ 91 94482 72503
shankar.sharma2005@gmail.com
shankar.sharma2005@hotmail.com
