Larsen & Toubro and GEH ink nuclear power deal

GE Hitachi Nuclear signed a nuclear plant development agreement with India's Larsen & Toubro Ltd. for its future ABWR projects.

According to GEH, the agreement is part of their strategy to establish an extensive network of local suppliers to help build a future GEH-designed Advanced Boiling Water Reactor or ABWR power station in India. The power station is one of several being planned by India to increase the country’s nuclear generation capacity more than tenfold over the next two decades—from 4.1 GW today to 60 GW by 2030.

The nuclear power initiative is a key part of India’s broader plan to expand its energy infrastructure to meet the country’s surging demands for electricity.

GEH’s 1,350-MW ABWR technology is the world’s only commercially proven Generation III advanced reactor design.

"We are pleased to sign this agreement with a company of L&T’s expertise and stature as we align our global nuclear supply chain with experienced local companies to assure that ABWR projects will be delivered on time to help India meet its important energy goals," said Jack Fuller, GEH president and CEO.

GEH’s MOU with L&T is one of the first preliminary nuclear technology trade agreements to be announced by a U.S.-majority owned company since the United States and India adopted a civilian nuclear energy accord in October 2008.