Indo-French Nuclear Talks
Context
Two years after the French energy company Electricite de France (EDF) submitted its techno-commercial offer for the construction of six nuclear power reactors in Maharashtra’s Jaitapur, talks between Indian and French officials on a variety of issues, including liability, have yielded no results.
Points to Ponder:
- Talks between Indian and French officials over building six nuclear power reactors in Maharashtra’s Jaitapur have yielded no results.
- Two key concerns have been identified as roadblocks: the liability issue and the high cost of power per unit.
- According to an EDF official, the responsibility problem is approaching convergence and must be resolved before any deal can be signed.
- Indian officials promised an early settlement to all issues in October 2022, but there has been no update on the latest status of the talks.
- The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India has been postponed till September for the G-20 conference.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Paris in July to expedite negotiations between EDF and NPCIL.
- EDF’s technical specifications for its European pressurised reactors have yet to be approved by the Indian regulator and NPCIL.
- The project’s estimated cost is significantly high.
- The Jaitapur project is currently the world’s largest nuclear power-producing facility under discussion.
