Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V. Narayanasamy on Wednesday mooted opening up the nuclear energy sector for foreign direct investment.
Emphasising that nuclear energy was as an important option for meeting the growing energy needs and that not a single accident had been reported in nuclear power plants in the country, he said there was need to encourage investment in the sector.
“We should agree to FDI. We should open up,” the Minister said, addressing an international conference on nuclear energy organised here by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He, however, said it was only his personal view. “No final decision has been taken [by the government on the issue].”
On the Kudankulam nuclear power station, Mr. Narayanasamy said work on the first unit of 2X1000 MWe was going apace. “The first unit will be ready for commissioning in 20 to 30 days from the time the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board gives its approval [for loading the fuel].”
