State-run Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) and South Korea's largest electric utility, Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) are in preliminary talks for Indian procurement of two of the Generation III Advanced Pressurised Reactor (APR) 1400.
They are expected to soon resume discussions on a design for Indian conditions and safety regulations. NPC has yet to decide the site for installation. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ongoing visit to the South Korean capital, Seoul, to attend the Nuclear Security Summit, is expected to help expedite the process. Kepco has a $20.4-billion contract to build APR 1400 reactors in the UAE. Four units of the APR1400 are under construction in Korea.
An NPC official, who did not want to be identified, told Business Standard: "We have told Kepco representatives our requirements. We will prepare a comprehensive note pertaining to design, safety and security applications and give it it during the next round of talks. Safety is of paramount importance.” NPC has yet to decide where to install the reactors.
India and South Korea signed a nuclear cooperation agreement in July 2011. Besides reactor technology, the memorandums between NPC and Kepco covered the development of nuclear projects, operation and maintenance.
