India, France Review EPR Reactor Deployment and Pumped Hydro Cooperation

India and France reviewed their ongoing cooperation in the power sector during a meeting in New Delhi between Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal and Bernard Fontana, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EDF, France. The discussions focused on the proposed deployment of EPR reactors in India and the broader partnership between the two sides.

The Indian delegation included officials from the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Central Electricity Authority, NTPC Limited and NPCIL. EDF representatives and officials from the Embassy of France in India made up the French side.

EDF briefed the Indian side on its efforts to develop an ecosystem and supply chain within India for large-scale localization. The company noted that a substantial programme involving multiple nuclear reactors would give suppliers confidence and allow economies of scale by drawing on Indian industry's capabilities.

The Power Secretary updated the French side on progress in finalizing India's regulatory framework for the nuclear power sector. This includes the Draft SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) Rules and Regulations, which the Department of Atomic Energy has placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultation. The rules provide for a streamlined, time-bound licensing framework and enable participation by private and foreign partners in India's nuclear power programme.

The two sides also discussed cooperation on pumped hydro storage projects, building on a proposed NTPC-EDF joint venture in this area. The meeting covered the way forward for a robust and mutually beneficial partnership.