Russian concerns over N-liability law delay new projects in TN

Manash Pratim Bhuyan
Moscow, Dec 5 (PTI) After the US and France, Russia has
expressed concern over some clauses of the nuclear liability
law, leading to delay in finalising contracts for building two
more atomic power plants at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu.
Russia's global nuclear project company Atomstroyexport,
which is building two 1000 MW reactors in Kudankulam, said the
"complex issues" need to be addressed before firming up
contracts for setting up two more atomic power plants.
"This is a very complicated issue. It is not an easy
issue from the point of view of its reflection in the
contractual document," said Georgy O Kumani, Vice President of
Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of Rosatom, the state-run
nuclear corporation.
He was responding to a question on whether his company
has any apprehensions about the Civil Liability for Nuclear
Damage law passed by Parliament earlier this year.
However, Kumani was hopeful of a resolution to the
contentious "issues" as both the countries have enjoyed deep
cooperation for years.
"We hope it will be resolved. We need to have resolution
of the issue soon. We have to find a solution," he said,
refusing to elaborate on the issue.
Kumani also refused to answer a question on whether cost
of the reactors will increase if the liability component was
factored in. "It is too early to speak about financial
components".
Certain clauses of the nuclear liability law, which caps
compensation to be paid in case of a nuclear accident at Rs
1,500 crore and also channels certain responsibilities to the
suppliers of the equipment for the nuclear plant, have been
opposed by the US and French companies which feel that the
provisions are very stringent.
Kumani said the first unit of Kudankulam nuclear power
plant will be operational by early next year as its
construction has already been completed.
"I would like to tell you that there are no unsolved
problems in the unit which can create stumbling blocks for its
operationalisation. We are now carrying out tests to check its
readiness," he said.
The second unit of Kudankulam power plant is expected to
be made operational within a year of commissioning of unit-1.
Russia and India signed a broad-based agreement late last
year to further deepen nuclear cooperation between them under
which four new nuclear reactors would be set up by Russia at
Kudankulam.
The pact also ensures transfer of technology and
uninterrupted uranium fuel supplies to nuclear reactors.
Kumani said Atomstroyexport is also holding negotiations
with infrastructure major Larsen and Toubro for setting up of
a manufacturing unit for production of equipment required in
nuclear plants. PTI MPB
DBP