AMEC power play in India
ENGINEERING giant AMEC, which employs 500 on Teesside, has taken the first strides into the Indian nuclear power market as it positions itself to become a key supplier in bridging the country’s yawning energy gap.
Since the global Nuclear Suppliers Group lifted its ban on selling nuclear fuel to India last year, installed nuclear generating capacity is predicted to rise to 40,000 megawatts by 2020.
The country’s 17 nuclear power stations are responsible for just 2.7% of total generating capacity, or 4,100 megawatts.
Six more plants are already under construction and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) will award contracts for building another six pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWR) and eight to 10 light water reactors (LWR) in the next 14 months.
AMEC’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Hindustan Construction Company - one of the biggest engineering and construction companies in India - will give it a foot in a market described by Indian Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as needing international co-operation.
A spokesperson for AMEC said: “India is keen to expand its nuclear programme. Population is rising and, as for other countries, global warming and security of supply are considerations.
“They want to make sure there’s enough power for the people.
“It’s an exciting market for us. AMEC is one of the few companies that can offer the full spectrum from design to maintenance to waste management and decommissioning.
“The UK is also seeing a renaissance in nuclear, people are realising it does have a part to play on an environmental level.”
The company is planning to bid for a multi million pound slice of a £3.6bn clean-up programme at the now-derelict Dounreay power station in Scotland.
George Rafferty, of North-east based cluster NOF Energy, said the UK’s nuclear sector was growing.
“There are plenty of opportunities globally for nuclear - for new-build alone, around 250 power stations are being planned over the coming decades. We are trying to position our members for when these opportunities arise.
“Security of supply and a balanced energy mix between hydro carbon, nuclear and renewables is important.”
NOF Energy will visit Brazil later this month in conjunction with NEPIC and UK Trade and Investment to look at the opportunities in the oil, gas, petrochemical and nuclear sectors.
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