Officials of India and France are working overtime to finalise the framework agreement on Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant to expedite the project. The agreement is expected to be signed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron next month.
The talks on the nuclear power project are getting delayed due to several issues including on liability and the costs. However, negotiators are back on table to decide the terms of the agreement which is expected to be signed between French company EDF and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIl).
EDF with NPCIl will be making six-reactors with a capacity of 1650-MW each using European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) technology, at Jaitaipur. It is seen as the largest nuclear power park in the country. The Jaitapur project was earlier with another French company Areva, which ran into bankruptcy. later, fresh negotiations began after EDF made a fresh proposal to NPCIl last year.
The General Framework Agreement (GFA), which lays down the details like the cost and technical aspects of the plant, is still been worked out as the two countries are yet to decide on several important aspects like terms of credit, which the EDF will give to the NPCIl, and the techno-commercial aspect, that includes cost per unit. Besides, the reference plant to be shown by EDF is not yet operational though it is mandatory that the EDF presents a reference plant before a deal could be signed. Such a plant is also required a go ahead from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AREB).
With the EDF too facing financial problems, the Indian side is not keen to sign a GFA until financial issues and other matters are sorted out. Besides, the French side is seeking an assurance over the liability clauses under the Civil liability Nuclear Damage Act 2010.
“There are no major problems. Issues over liability need to be fixed. They are presently being discussed. Cost issues will always arise for any project, and for a gigantic project like this, they are bound to be discussed in detail. We are confident that the issues will be solved soon,” French ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler had said a few months back.