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Russia’s Rosatom Offers India Expanded Energy Collaboration

By Vusala Abbasova July 10, 2024

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The relationship between India and Russia in nuclear energy dates back to the 1960s. Kudankulam was the first jointly constructed plant, featuring two 1,000-megawatt (MW) pressurized water reactor units based on Russian technology.

Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom has proposed several new projects to enhance India’s nuclear energy capabilities. 

The corporation announced it is negotiating the construction of six additional nuclear power units in India, as well as exploring the development of low-power nuclear plants within the country.

"New areas of cooperation are being discussed," RBC quoted Rosatom’s press release. "The construction in India of six more Russia-designed high-powered power units is on the agenda."

Additionally, the parties are considering the possibility of building small nuclear power plants designed by Russia.

Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev emphasized the potential for collaboration in constructing small tropical nuclear power stations in India, highlighting the possibility of extensive localization.

"We offer cooperation possibilities for the construction of tropical stations," TASS quoted Likhachev as saying during a tour for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Atom pavilion. "We can transfer the whole construction part to you," he assured Modi.

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) stands as a testament to the strong technological and energy partnership between Russia and India. Located in Tamil Nadu, Kudankulam is the largest nuclear plant in India, utilizing six power units with VVER-1000 reactors and an installed capacity of 6,000 MW. Power units No. 1 and No. 2 were commissioned in 2013 and 2016, respectively, and have since been operating at nominal capacity.

The relationship between India and Russia in nuclear energy dates back to the 1960s. Kudankulam was the first jointly constructed plant, featuring two 1,000-megawatt (MW) pressurized water reactor units based on Russian technology.

In 2008, the two countries signed an agreement for the construction of four additional units at Kudankulam and on developing new sites.  In conjunction with Kudankulam, India agreed to identify a second site to expedite the possibility of further cooperation with Russia and also agreed to set up more than 20 Russian-designed nuclear units in India within the next 20 years.

India’s interest in Russia’s nuclear capabilities stems from Russia’s experiences in nuclear engineering and its advanced nuclear technology. Russia’s state-owned nuclear body, Rosatom, ranks third in the world in terms of nuclear power generation. The energy giant is also the global leader in the simultaneous implementation of nuclear power plant units, holding the world’s largest portfolio of foreign construction projects.

Rosatom’s 11 operating nuclear power plants, including floating nuclear power plant, based in Pevek, operate 38 reactors totaling 30,576 gigawatt-electric (GWe). What is the largest electricity generating company in Russia produces 19 percent of the country’s total electricity.