Jaitapur Project Contractual Scheme

India and France are discussing to collaborate on a very ambitious nuclear program of 6 EPR projects at Jaitapur site of India. Once this program is completed, Jaitapur with 9900 MW capacity will be the world’s biggest nuclear site.

This week India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a state visit to France on 13-14th July 2023. PM Modi has been invitated as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade by President Emmanuel Macron. This marks a very rare occasion as France is not known for inviting foreign dignitaries every year to the Bastille Day Parade. Bastille Day is marked by a special military parade at the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Most likely along with several strategic matters, the Jaitapur nuclear project is well on his card to be taken forward and arrive to some convergence with the French team. The project is a key pillar for India- France relationship for next couple of decades and deserves to be fast tracked to soon see light of the day.

Both countries have resolved several obstacles and currently negotiating the Techno-Commercial Offer submitted by EDF to NPCIL. Post acceptance of TCO, General Framework Agreement (GFA) and Financial Sanction of Government of India will follow the suit.

So far, EDF and NPCIL have reached to an agreement on “Basic contractual scheme” for Jaitapur which provides a basic framework for the broad scope of work to be undertaken by program partners:

• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will be the Builder-Owner-Operator

• NPCIL will be responsible for Construction and Commissioning

  • Construction and commissioning of nuclear island, conventional plant, BoP buildings, Heat sink galleries come under the full scope of NPCIL

  • Construction and commissioning make up around 40% of total project cost

  • Good opportunities for the construction players to get involved with NPCIL

• Électricité de France (EDF) & Partners will provide the Engineering & Procurement

  • Engineering and procurement of Nuclear Island, BoP, Heat Sink & Galleries (EDF)

  • Engineering and procurement of Conventional Island (EDF and GE acquired team)

  • Performance guarantee, training services, and technical assistance by EDF to NPCIL

  • Engineering makes up 15-20% of cost

  • Engineering platform is planned for detailed design activities

  • Procurement activities comprise of 35-40% of total project cost. Procurement involves global supply chain players and local suppliers in India to make the project more cost competitive

Gain first-hand insights on the Indian nuclear market, business collaborations and partnership opportunities at the 4th edition of India Nuclear Business Platform (INBP) meeting in Mumbai this 10-11 October. More information on this meeting is available here.