India Experiments With Fusion
Forbes India published an interesting article on India’s efforts in fusion energy. India is one of seven countries participating in building a fusion energy reactor in the south of France. Known as ITER, it is a $20 billion facility that will demonstrate net energy gain from fusion, setting the stage for a full scale demonstration power plant. ITER is expected to be completed by 2020. As one of the participants, India is investing in fusion energy research for domestic purposes as well. A fast growing economy with significant energy needs, India sees fusion as part of a long-term energy solution. From the article:
Before this project, electricity from nuclear fusion has been produced only in laboratories. As the host-partner of the project, the EU is the largest contributor with a 34 percent stake. India has taken up 9 percent, which will be executed by the Gandhinagar-based Iter-India, a division of the Institute of Plasma Research. The seven partners will contribute in kind by bringing components to the project. In India, a lot of this work will be done by the private sector.
What it means for Indian firms
For L&T and MV Kotwal—board member and head of heavy engineering, who also spearheads the company’s ambitions in the nuclear industry—the Iter-India contract is a chance to establish the company’s reputation. L&T has sunk about Rs 1,800 crore in a forge shop at Hazira through a joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).
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