Westinghouse eyes Indian nuke deal with NPCIL

Westinghouse hopes to ink a deal with the NPCIL for it to deploy AP1000 nuclear power plants in India.

"NPCIL is India's nuclear power plant company, with the broadest range of expertise encompassing design, engineering, construction, commissioning and operation," Westinghouse President and CEO Aris S. Candris said. "We look forward to bringing our AP1000 nuclear technology to India through such an experienced and well-respected organisation as NPCIL."

Candris expressed confidence that their business model, with emphasis on localisation and infrastructure development, will benefit the NPCIL or Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.

Meena Mutyala, Westinghouse vice president and business leader for India, confirmed Westinghouse would make use of India-based companies and labor. She said Westinghouse is now exploring potential opportunities to work with companies such as Larsen & Toubro and others to provide construction-related services, equipment and modules for AP1000s to be built in India.

"Westinghouse's global track record of success with localisation is well documented," she said. "In India, with an already-established infrastructure, we also hope to qualify companies to assist us in constructing or providing equipment for AP1000s elsewhere in the world."