EDF, I2EN and VJTI have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a pre-feasibility study for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Maharashtra.
Through this initiative, the three partners intend to contribute to consolidating the Indo-French bilateral cooperation in the field of civil nuclear at the institutional, industrial and academia level, enhancing best industrial practices, highest standards in safety and advanced training approaches.
The Centre of Excellence will target the development of all the skills necessary for the implementation of the Jaitapur Project.
EDF, it may be mentioned, is engaged in intense discussions with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) for the development and construction of the biggest nuclear plant in the world, with six EPR units totaling close to 10,000 MWe at the Jaitapur site, Maharashtra, India, EDF is committed to developing a large pool of diversified skills in India to support the successful implementation of the project and the Skill India initiative with locally trained resources.
The Jaitapur project is strategically important to Indo-French partnership.
The Centre of Excellence will target the development of all the skills necessary for the implementation of the Jaitapur Project at the stages of design, procurement, construction, commissioning and operational activities. Academic and industrial stakeholders will be involved to ensure that the specialized courses and modules delivered to the students, within and beyond standard curriculum, answer the specific requirements and practical needs of the Project. Inviting and involving the most knowledgeable academics, scientists and industrial experts, the Centre of Excellence will train engineers and technicians from Indian companies and suppliers which will be participating in the development of this EPR project in India.
The Jaitapur Project is a strategic project for the Indo-French partnership that will be contributing to the creation of high-skilled jobs in India with roughly 25,000 direct employment opportunities during the construction phase of 2 EPR units. Able to generate up to 75 TWh of carbon free electricity per year by 2035, the project will power an equivalent of 70 million households, avoiding the emission of 80 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
Key to abbreviations:
- EDF: Electricité de France S.A.
- I2EN: International Institute of Nuclear Energy
- VJTI: Veermata Jeejabai Technical Institute (formerly, Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute)
Featured photograph is for illustrative of construction work on a nuclear power plant. Readers may note that no construction work has yet begun on the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power project.
