India and France have reviewed plans for deploying European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) technology in India, with discussions focusing on nuclear supply-chain localisation, regulatory reforms and cooperation on pumped hydro storage projects.

Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal held discussions in New Delhi with Bernard Fontana, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of French energy company Électricité de France (EDF).

The meeting reviewed ongoing engagement between India and France on the proposed deployment of EPR reactors in the country.

The discussions covered four principal areas: EPR technology deployment, reforms to India’s nuclear regulatory framework, the development of a domestic nuclear supply chain and cooperation on pumped hydro storage projects.

The Ministry of Power said that the talks were also aimed at establishing a robust and mutually beneficial long-term partnership between India and France.

EDF briefed the Indian side on its efforts to develop an ecosystem in India capable of supporting nuclear power projects. The French company is working to build an Indian supply chain for large-scale localisation, including greater participation by domestic engineering, manufacturing and industrial firms.

EDF emphasised that a sizeable program involving multiple nuclear reactors would provide suppliers with greater confidence.

According to the company, a multi-reactor program could also help Indian manufacturers achieve economies of scale by leveraging the country’s industrial capabilities.

The localisation effort is particularly relevant to the proposed Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Maharashtra, where EDF is the technology provider for six planned EPR units.

The proposed Jaitapur project is expected to feature six EPR reactors, each with a planned capacity of 1,650 megawatts. EDF has previously engaged with Indian suppliers and engineering companies to assess their capabilities and increase domestic participation in the project.

A stronger local supply chain could support the manufacture of equipment, components and services required for large nuclear power projects. It could also help India build long-term expertise in nuclear-grade manufacturing, quality assurance, project engineering and plant maintenance.

The meeting also examined progress in finalising India’s regulatory framework for nuclear power.

Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal briefed the French delegation on the proposed Draft SHANTI Rules and Regulations.

SHANTI stands for Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India.

The draft framework has been placed in the public domain by the Department of Atomic Energy for stakeholder consultation. The proposed rules are intended to create a streamlined and time-bound licensing framework for nuclear power projects.

They would also enable the participation of private and foreign partners in India’s nuclear power program.

The regulatory changes are significant because clearer licensing procedures could provide greater certainty to reactor vendors, investors, equipment manufacturers and project developers.

For India, regulatory reform is expected to support the expansion of nuclear generation while maintaining oversight of safety, security and compliance requirements. For France and EDF, a clearer framework could assist discussions on project structure, technology deployment, commercial arrangements and the participation of Indian suppliers.

The two sides also discussed cooperation on pumped hydro storage projects.

This cooperation builds on the proposed partnership between NTPC Limited and EDF for developing pumped storage and other low-carbon energy projects. NTPC and EDF have been working towards a joint venture covering pumped storage projects, hydropower installations and renewable-energy developments.

The proposed collaboration is intended to support the integration of renewable electricity into the power grid. Pumped hydro storage can store electricity by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations. During periods of high electricity demand, the stored water can be released through turbines to generate power.

The technology can help balance variable generation from solar and wind projects and improve the reliability of the electricity network. The broader NTPC-EDF partnership is also expected to explore opportunities in other renewable-energy projects and, potentially, electricity distribution.

The joint venture could undertake projects in India and neighbouring countries, subject to the required approvals and commercial arrangements. The discussions therefore linked nuclear power, domestic industrial development and grid-scale energy storage within the wider India-France energy partnership.

Indian officials attending the meeting included representatives of the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Central Electricity Authority, NTPC Limited and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.

The French side was represented by EDF and the Embassy of France in India.

The latest engagement demonstrates France’s interest in supporting India’s nuclear expansion through EPR technology and local industrial participation. It also reflects India’s effort to attract foreign technology while strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on overseas supply chains.

The progress of the proposed EPR deployment will depend on the finalisation of the regulatory framework, commercial agreements, project approvals and the ability of Indian suppliers to meet nuclear-sector standards.

The development of a sizeable reactor program could give Indian companies a larger and more predictable market while helping EDF establish a stronger industrial base in India.

ANI