L&T, GE-Hitachi sign nuclear deal

19 May 2009

Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro tody said that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy for the construction of nuclear power plants in India.

GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy is a joint venture between US conglomerate General Electric Co and Japan's Hitachi. Based in Wilmington, NC, GE-Hitachi has become a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services.

The MoU envisages co-operation on boiling water reactor or BWR and advanced boiling water reactor or ABWR nuclear power plants. GE-Hitachi's ABWR technology is the world's only commercially proven generation III advanced reactor design, with four units in operation and another four under construction.

L&T said this MoU with GEH was a major step forward for the company in the manufacture and construction of ABWR components and systems.

L&T and GEH hope to utilise indigenous capabilities for the complete construction of nuclear power plants, including supply of reactor equipment and systems, valves, electrical and instrumentation products for ABWR plants to be set up in India.

"The agreement with L&T is an important step in gearing up to meet the country's power needs through nuclear energy," said Kishore Jayaraman, chief executive officer, GE Energy, India, Srilanka & Bangladesh.