India is interested
in selling small nuclear reactors to Malaysia and other developing countries,
provided the governments agree to use it to generate power.
At present, India is the only country in the world that produces the
220-megawatt (MWe) pressurized heavy water reactor after Canada, a key
producer abandoned the project as production was no longer economical.
"We are willing to sell to friendly nations like Malaysia, if there
is a genuine interest, as nuclear power production is a long term commitment,"
said executive director (corporate planning) of the Nuclear Power Corporation
of India Ltd (NPCIL) Sudhinder Thakur.
After India conducted a nuclear test in 1974, the Nuclear Suppliers
Group banned it from trading in nuclear technology. This ban was lifted
when India signed a nuclear deal with the United States last October.
"From a technical
point of view, we can sell these reactors," said Thakur, adding
that India was ready to promote the indigenous reactor to countries,
which had adequate regulatory laws and expertise to operate it.
"The ultimate objective is to produce electricity as cheaply, using
coal. It is commercially viable with these reactors. It is also 30 to
40 percent cheaper compared to coal," he said.
At present 17 reactors, ranging from 160 MWe to 540 MWe, are in operation
across India, generating 4,120 MWe. Three other plants under construction
are expected to be commissioned by this year and India aims to produce
25 percent of its electricity from nuclear power by 2050.
The government-owned NPCIL is the sole body responsible for constructing
and operating India's commercial nuclear power plants. India, the third
largest economy in Asia, launched its nuclear programme as part of an
energy-self-sufficiency strategy and to meet the growing demand from
its robust industrial sector.