The much-publicized,
high-powered nuclear trade mission from the United States, comprising
more than 50 senior executives from over 30 commercial nuclear companies
is visiting New Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai from 2 to 9 December, 2008.
The mission, organized jointly by the US-India Business Council (USIBC)
and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), has the backing of the US Department
of Commerce.
Jack Fuller, CEO of GE-Hitachi (GEH) and the official mission leader,
said, "The trade mission is a historic step forward in promoting
civilian nuclear cooperation between the world's largest democracies."
Members of the mission will meet with senior Indian government officials
and top executives from India's both public and private sector undertakings.
"This is the beginning of a new chapter, with important steps ahead.
We look forward to exploring opportunities that hold great promise,
not only for our company and shareholders, but also economic opportunities
that will create jobs, increase energy availability and improve the
lives of the people of our two great nations," said Fuller.
The trade mission
hopes to build on the momentum created by approval of the US-India agreement
on cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, which followed authorization
by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in September this year. The US
and Indian governments signed the agreement on 10 October, creating
the framework to enable US companies to provide nuclear technology and
fuel to India.
The USIBC has projected a $150 billion business for civilian nuclear
technologies in India's growing nuclear power sector over the next 30
years because of the US-India civil nuclear deal.
Ted Jones, Director of USIBC, said, "We are coming to India to
learn how US commercial nuclear suppliers can continue our partnership
with India in the expansion of nuclear power," He added, "We
want to partner with India both here and around the world."
GEH said that it is eager to explore new business opportunities for
civilian nuclear power in India, including new reactors and plant services,
as well as providing fuel for existing and new nuclear power plants.
The company said it is working with Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd
(NPCIL) "to identify a specific site for its Advanced Boiling Water
Reactor (ABWR) technology. Depending on site conditions, GEH could potentially
deploy six to eight ABWRs for a total of 10,000 MWe."
Meena Mutyala, Westinghouse's Vice President and Business Leader, India
Strategy, who will also be part of the delegation, said: "Our intent
is to use in-country resources in the deployment of AP1000s in India,
and to qualify suppliers in India to assist Westinghouse in the construction
of AP1000s elsewhere in the world." She added, "Toward that
end, we will develop long-term relationships and partnerships with industrial
companies, design firms, and academic institutions."
Vijay Sazawal, who will represent USEC on the mission, said his company's
American centrifuge uranium enrichment technology "will be well
suited to meet increased demand from growing markets such as India."