NFC ships first batch of N-plant parts

HYDERABAD: The Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad, on Monday flagged off its first consignment of indigenously developed Incoloynickel tubes, said to be the most critical component in steam generators for nuclear power plants.The steam generators, which are being manufactured by Larsen & Toubro, will use the UNS NO8800 tubings manufactured by the NFC, which now becomes the fourth company approved globally to manufacture and supply these tubes.RN Jayaraj, chief executive of NFC, told newsmen here that, “These tubes will be integrated into the eight steam generators being manufactured by L&T for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NCPIL) for the Kakrapara and Rajasthan nuclear power plants.” The raw materials are procured by L&T, whose conversion value amounts to Rs 45 crore, he added.NFC and L&T have been working in collaboration since 2009.“In line with L&T’s strategy of promoting self-reliance, we could think of no better partner than NFC.We are proud that we are able to source these critical tubes from within the county rather than import them,” said MV Kotwal, L & T director and senior executive vice-president (Heavy Engineering).SK Jain, chairperson and managing director, NCPIL, said, “India can produce supplies 22-25% cheaper than the European counterparts.” Asked about the safety of nuclear reactors in the country, he said, “All our existing 20 plants are safe.We have invested around Rs 150 crore in all our existing plants to take safety to the next level.” Answering another query about the rising need for power generation with rising prices of coal as a fuel, he said, “We are going to cross 32,000 million units of power generation by the end of this year as compared to 26,000 million units, with a 40% rise.” The corporation also has proposed to set up eight more 1000 MWE plants across the country, apart from the four 700 MWE plants which are under construction.“If anyone has worries about the safety measures at the nuclear plants, just register with the NPCIL website.You will be picked up from your home for visiting the nearest plant and dropped back,” Jain said