The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, December 6, 2010 that a “framework agreement” has been signed between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The agreement will allow French state-owned Areva, to sell nuclear reactors to India’s Maharashtra state complete with nuclear fuel for 25 years.

Manufacturers of nuclear reactor components, such as Areva, are entering a pivotal  period as the new landscape of global nuclear energy production takes shape. Nations like India who are committed to constructing next-generation nuclear facilities will rely on these manufacturers to provide high quality products that foster a safe, secure, and enduring environment for energy production.

“India’s shortage of fossil fuels is driving its assertive investment in nuclear technology. Their government has given approval for construction of new nuclear reactors using indigenous technology,” says Shelley Carr, publisher of SBI Energy, a market research firm.

India’s dedication to developing nuclear electricity as a cleaner alternative to coal-fired power has nations — the United States, for example — fiercely competing for a piece of its lucrative opportunity. According to “Nuclear Energy Technologies Worldwide: Components and Manufacturing,” a study by SBI Energy, India has six reactors currently in manufacturing and ten additional units planned through the next decade. Of this ten, six will be supplied from France as part of the newly signed agreement. Local media reports the value of the first two French reactors is estimated at $9.4 billion. SBI Energy’s study forecasts the total nuclear energy installed capacity in India will accelerate its domestic production of reactors and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% through 2013 to reach 39.4 MWh.

SBI Energy’s “Nuclear Energy Technologies Worldwide: Components and Manufacturing” report covers several components of the nuclear energy technology industry around the world including the overall market value of nuclear energy technology manufacturing. The report examines shipments, imports and exports, as well as the economic and market trends driving the nuclear technology industry.

coalgeology.com