Asian Nuclear Energy

Dear Reader,

Greetings from the weekly e-Zine Asian Nuclear Energy!
Today, it is quite evident the world nuclear industry has been waiting for just the kind of spark the recent Indo-US nuclear deal has ignited. In fact, the encouraging response this weekly e-Zine has received since its launch about two months back is proof enough. Although India is a small player in the civilian nuclear energy sector as of now, this country is expected to play a big role in view of its massive power requirements and its ability to offer immense opportunity to vendors of advanced nuclear technology and fuel supply. Besides, in executing joint ventures. India has highly-skilled manpower, especially in the field of engineering required for setting up low-cost reactors. Companies in the US and other developed countries such as France are aware of this fact and are keen to take advantage of this Indian strength. The cover story of this e-zine deals with this aspect of India, especially in the context of the acute shortage of manpower with such technical skills in the US, where not a single nuclear plant has been built in the last 30 years. The Indian civilian nuclear energy sector, which has received a shot in the arm from the Indo-US nuclear deal, is keenly awaiting the arrival of the US nuclear trade mission, in India on 3 December for an on-the-spot assessment of this country's requirement in this field. As the countdown for the arrival of the trade mission begins, the e-Zine's shares the optimism of American companies about the opportunities existing in the Indian nuclear energy sector. India, after signing civilian nuclear energy pacts with France and the US, is awaiting the arrival of Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev's maiden visit to India to ink a similar pact with the key CIS country. The e-Zine carries a report. Japan, the only country in the world to suffer a nuclear attack, is a major vendor of nuclear power generation technology and equipment. This country sees a major opportunity in nuclear trade with India. We carry this article in the Focus section of the e-zine. US-headquartered Westinghouse Electric Co sees an opportunity to sell its AP 1000 nuclear technology to companies collaborating with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). We carry a report. Then our news section covers various developments involving nuclear commerce, such as France's AREVA's plans to set up up to six European Pressurized Water Reactors (EPRs) by 2020.

Wish you Happy Reading,

Satya Swaroop,
Managing Editor.