Mumbai, July 21 -- Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd (ASHVINI), the joint venture of state-owned NTPC and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), has invited bids for construction of the nuclear section of the proposed Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Plant in Rajasthan. The tender values the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract at Rs280 billion (Rs280 bn) and covers the Nuclear Island Mega EPC Package, including the reactor building, nuclear structures, heavy water upgrading plant, water systems and waste management facilities. The nuclear island houses the reactor and other critical systems.

The selected contractor will be responsible for engineering, design, supply, civil construction, installation, testing, commissioning and operation and maintenance of the package. The project will comprise four indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) of 700 megawatt (MW) each, for a total capacity of 2,800 MW. The scope requires delivery of major civil and specialised mechanical works integral to the PHWR programme.

The initiative is significant as it will be the first nuclear power plant in India that will not be fully owned by NPCIL, which currently owns the country's entire installed nuclear power capacity of 8.8 GW. NPCIL stated that the package is the largest Nuclear Island EPC package floated under India's indigenous PHWR programme and that it covers all major works required for the four reactors. The Centre views the expansion as a means to strengthen energy security and reduce carbon emissions.

The government has set a target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and the tender forms part of efforts to scale up domestic construction and vendor participation. In 2024-25, nuclear plants generated 56,681 million units of electricity, accounting for 3.1 per cent of India's total power generation. The tender was issued on Thursday and seeks contractors with experience in large nuclear island deliveries.

Separately, NTPC has signed a memorandum of understanding with Electricite de France to explore collaboration on nuclear projects in India, reflecting interest in international partnership for technology and project development. The tender documentation underlines requirements for end-to-end delivery and long term operation and maintenance under India's PHWR programme.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.