Russia's Declaration: Keen to Set Up High-capacity Nuclear Power Units at India's New Site

Russia has expressed its readiness to significantly expand its cooperation with India in the atomic energy sector, including the construction of high-capacity nuclear power units at a new site in India. On Thursday, Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, met with Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia, to discuss further strengthening nuclear energy collaboration between the two countries.

According to a statement by Rosatom, officials from both sides visited the Pilot Demonstration Energy Complex (PDEC) site under construction in Seversk, Tomsk region, Russia. During the visit, comprehensive discussions were held on potential areas of Russian-Indian cooperation in the nuclear field.

"We have plans for a substantial expansion of cooperation with India in the peaceful use of nuclear energy," remarked Likhachev. "This primarily includes the serial construction of Russian-designed high-capacity nuclear power units at a new site in India, implementation of land-based and floating low-power generation projects, collaboration in the nuclear fuel cycle, and non-power applications of nuclear technologies." Also, the kinds of nuclear reactors that Rosatom intended to build at the new location in India are still not disclosed.

Last week, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar mentioned that India is seeking additional sites for Russian nuclear reactors. Russia and India are currently collaborating on the construction of six 1,000 MW nuclear reactors at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, with two units already commissioned. "Ajit Kumar Mohanty and Alexey Likhachev also discussed the development of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, which is being built in southern India, according to a Russian blueprint. Six power units, each with a 1,000 MW light-water reactor, are part of this project," the statement continued.