Mumbai, Aug. 3 -- The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) has floated a tender for plant engineering and three-dimensional (3D) modelling of its 220 megawatt (MW) Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs). The reactors are based on proven 220 megawatt (MW) pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) technology and bids are to be submitted by August 10. The move marks a further step in India's plan to expand nuclear power capacity.
The scope calls for generic design and engineering for civil, process, mechanical, piping, electrical and control and instrumentation systems, together with ventilation and air conditioning, piping stress analysis and 3D computer modelling. The programme seeks suppliers able to deliver integrated engineering packages and to support detailed design validation and documentation for construction and commissioning. Emphasis is placed on quality assurance and adherence to regulatory standards.
The engineering tender accompanies the implementation of the SHANTI Act, which opened nuclear power generation to private sector participation while specifying limits on supplier liability, and supports the government's target of achieving 100 gigawatt (GW) of installed nuclear capacity by 2047. NPCIL has invited proposals for deploying BSRs for captive industrial use, and so far Hindalco Industries is the only company to have submitted a proposal under the framework. The development is positioned to enable companies to secure stable on-site clean power for energy intensive operations.
Under the proposed captive model the user industry will bear capital and operating expenditure while NPCIL will retain responsibility for reactor design, quality assurance, operation and maintenance. Participating companies will provide land, cooling water and capital investment and will retain electricity generated after meeting internal consumption needs. NPCIL said the twin-unit plant layout has been designed to optimise land use and that site selection will consider geology, seismic conditions, water availability, population density and regulatory requirements to ensure safety and operational performance.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.