L&T, France's Areva Sign Pact for Maharashtra Nuclear Plant

Mumbai: Engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) on Saturday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with French firm Areva for cooperation to maximise localisation for the 9,900-MW Jaitapur nuclear plant in Maharashtra.

"Both the companies have signed an MoU for cooperation to maximise localisation for the EPR nuclear power plant to be built at Jaitapur, Maharashtra. Areva's EPR nuclear reactor is a third generation advanced pressurised water reactor," L&T said in a statement issued here.

The MoU with Areva represents a major step forward for L&T in pressurised water reactor technology, it said.

"This partnership will add new dimensions to the capabilities of India's manufacturing sector in the nuclear business," L&T whole-time director and president-heavy engineering M V Kotwal said.

The MoU covers the prospect of partnership between L&T and Areva in manufacturing key nuclear island equipment, valves, piping, electrical, instrumentation and engineering work.

Through this partnership, Areva will also transfer technology to utilise the forging capabilities of L&T Special Steels and Heavy Forgings, a joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).

"This is a significant addition to the company's existing capabilities and the lead role it has played in equipment manufacture, construction and project management for pressurised heavy water reactors in the country's domestic nuclear power programme," Mr Kotwal added.