L&T, Russia's Atomstroyexport in pact to build nuclear plants

15 April 2009

Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia's Atomstroyexport for designing and developing nuclear power reactors in India.

Under the agreement signed today, the companies will co-operate in designing and building reactors for the Indian market, including four for the ongoing Indo-Russian project at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu.

The MoU was for the co-operation between the companies related to equipment and other services arising from the agreement signed between visiting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on 5 December 2008, for four additional reactors KK3-6 at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu and other Russian reactors at new sites in India (See: India-Russia nuclear agreement signed). 

The companies will also cooperate in the construction of plants designed with Russian light-water VVER 1000 reactors at new sites in India, L&T said in a statement.

This MoU will enable L&T as well as ASE to utilise indigenous capabilities for nuclear power plants including supply of equipment and systems, valves, electrical and instrumentation products and fabrication of structural and piping and construction for the Russian VVER plants in India and in other global locations.

VVER reactors are already licensed and in operation in several countries and both L&T and ASE are optimistic about the emerging opportunities and see the possibility of future co-operation, in India as well as abroad.