Mumbai (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Violent anti- nuclear protests broke out in the past few days in Jaitapur (Maharashtra) with one man shot dead by police. Once completed, the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project will be largest nuclear plant in the world (9,900 megawatt), with six reactors provided by France’s Areva (1.650 megawatt each).
The federal government has excluded any second thoughts with regards to the power plant. The ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) did say however that the Fukushima disaster would slow down the project but only to allow for further environmental impact assessment.
Areva’s Chief Operating Officer Luc Oursel said the company is taking into consideration lessons from Fukushima. In the meantime, it expects to sign a commercial agreement with state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) to clear the air of any doubt about security measures.
The total cost of the deal amounts to US$ 7 billion, including two reactors and fuel supply for 25 years.
The French company has assured supply of uranium for lifetime of the reactors, which is 60 years.