“We would first want to clear the impediments for projects that are already in pipeline and then move on to another projects,” said a senior DAE official. Currently, all the power plants are running behind schedule.
The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant Project (JNPP) being built with French assistance, the unit 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) with Russian assistance and the Mithi Virdhi nuclear plant with the assistance of the US are either stuck because of various reasons or running behind schedule.
The official pointed out that there are other aspects India may be looking at in the field of nuclear arena.
“Like India, Korea too has a developed its own nuclear technology and there are many aspects of cooperation, which India is looking at to start with.
“We are primarily looking at cooperation in Research and Development. Anyway, they have started with their work on building a plant for the United Arab Emirates. We are waiting for results and can then take a plunge,” the official said.
Another senior DAE official said cost-wise South Korea is more competitive than what the US or the French are offering, but India wants to go slow on this because of the pending projects.
“Cooperation with Korea is easy as both countries have signed a Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreement in July 2011. So there is a document in place and we don't need to worry about that like the way we have to do in case of Japan,” the official said.
Updated on: January 12, 2014 16:05 IST
