The nuclear deal is a historic accomplishment. We all know its many advantages and the potential it holds out for India’s future development.
As satisfying as this great accomplishment is, we have to face the fact that what comes next will be no less difficult than what has already been achieved.
Building a large, world class, civil nuclear industry in India will take time, capital, ingenuity, competitive technology, a sound regulatory architecture, private sector input, and a true political commitment to excellence. Introducing a few more small reactors that produce power for an inefficient electric power system will not produce the results that India is seeking. India needs a public-private civilian nuclear strategy that establishes sound, transparent policies that lay the groundwork for large-scale and competitive electricity production.
In the course of these negotiations, I have listened to and read volumes of inaccurate comments regarding the global position of the United States in civil nuclear technology. Many misinformed commentators have inaccurately alleged that the US civil nuclear industry has been out of the business for almost 30 years and that we are no longer competitive in nuclear technology and engineering.
It is time to bring you up to date with some basic facts:
The United States is the largest generator of electric power in the world — with 19 per cent of that power provided by nuclear energy.
US nuclear power generating capacity (100,582 Megawatts) ranks number one in the world with 27 per cent of the world’s total (vs. France #2 at 17 per cent)
The United States ranks number one in the world in terms of number of nuclear reactors (104), 24 per cent of the world’s total (vs. France #2 at 13.4 per cent)
US produces at roughly 1/2 to 1/3 of the cost in other major countries.
Finally, contrary to popular comment in India, over the last 15 years, US civil nuclear engineering companies have remained at the forefront of international civil nuclear engineering. They have modernised and upgraded our nuclear industry, keeping it the most efficient and competitive in the world.
As the United States and other countries expand their civil nuclear power production to meet the growing demand for clean energy, India will be competing with them to access foreign capital and technology. I hope India is the “birth-place” of a major international civil nuclear industry, but earning that place will be a major challenge.
I can confirm, enthusiastically, that US companies are interested, under right conditions, in participating in and trading with India in the commercial nuclear energy industry. The US Department of Commerce, supported by the US Mission here in India, working with the US-India Business Council, will be co-leading a trade mission to New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai from December 3–9.
The objective of this trade mission is to promote US technology expertise and know-how in nuclear energy technology. The mission will involve technical sessions, business matchmaking sessions and networking events that aim to strengthen US-India cooperation in this industry.
The trade mission will include executives from major nuclear reactor technology manufacturers, nuclear energy engineering and consulting firms, suppliers of nuclear fuel, fuel components and conversion technologies and nuclear radiation analysis specialists.
The United States government and US private industry look forward to expanding cooperation with India in supporting the flourishing of India’s power sector and especially its civil nuclear energy sector. By expanding the opportunities for India’s private sector and for foreign civil nuclear companies and foreign investors to participate in India’s growing civil nuclear energy sector, India can better achieve the vision of Prime Minister Singh and US President Bush in making India’s new passport into the world of international civil nuclear technology a reality.
(US Ambassador David C Mulford’s address at the CII on November 14)
