Date:07/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/07/stories/2007030701941500.htm

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Nuclear Fuel Complex in Hyderabad draws up plan to step up production

Y. Mallikarjun

To help meet target of generating 700 MWe by 11th Plan end

Rs. 500-crore plan to produce 1,350 tonnes

Plant to make core sub-assemblies for PFBTR

R. N. Jayaraj

HYDERABAD: The Nuclear Fuel Complex here, mainstay of supply for nuclear power reactors, has drawn up a Rs. 500-crore expansion plan to produce 1,350 tonnes by the end of the next Five-Year plan.

Talking to The Hindu here on Monday, NFC chief executive R. N. Jayaraj said the plans included establishment of a new fabrication plant. It was not yet decided whether the plant should be located here or elsewhere. A committee would be constituted next month for recommending the site in about six months.

The expansion was to help meet the target of generating 7,400 MWe by the end of the 11th Plan. The NFC had an installed capacity of 600 tonnes a year and was supplying 350-400 tonnes to 12 Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (220 MWe each).

It planned to augment production by 250 tonnes during 2008-09 to meet the requirement for another four plants. With the Nuclear Power Corporation of India proposing to establish four more PHWRs (of 700 MWe each) requiring 500 tonnes of fuel annually, the NFC's plans would come in handy.

The NFC was also setting up a plant to fabricate andsupply core sub-assemblies for the Prototype Fast Breeder Test Reactor (PFBTR) coming up at Kalpakkam, near Chennai. ``We have already standardised the fabrication technologies and got clearance for manufacturing,'' Mr. Jayaraj said. The required fuel and hexagonal tubes would be fabricated with hi-tech indigenous technology. These components were earlier imported.

The NFC emerged as a potential global player, upgrading technologies for manufacturing critical components. Overseas enquiries were received for export of nuclear grade zircaloy and seamless calandria tubes for nuclear power plants.

Separation of facilities

Asked about separation of civilian-military facilities when the India-U.S. agreement comes into force, Mr. Jayaraj said that only a single module of fuel fabrication dealing with imported natural uranium would fall under international safeguards. "The other modules for manufacturing natural uranium fuel will be under our control."