To do so, many innovative design alternatives had to be worked out followed by development exercises to demonstrate acceptability of concepts and designs. Design, manufacture and construction have been amply demonstrated in the currently operating PHWR units. There are still a few areas where our indigenisation levels need to be increased, one such example being, computer and electronics hardware. Large investments in hi-tech equipment and proprietary manufacturing processes, with low volume of production required, appear to inhibit indigenous development of these items. Not withstanding the apparently unfavourable short-term economics, conscious decisions should be taken to make additional investments towards indigenisation, from a long-term perspective.
Managerial challenges
"Success" could be measured in many ways. If the mere design and indigenous manufacture of a component were the criterion, then most of what we have achieved so far would be counted as very successful developments. While this may be acceptable during the initial phases of development of nuclear technology in India, at the present time when we have already established a firm-manufacturing base, we need to apply a few more factors in evaluating "success". For a nuclear power to be economical, our present long gestation periods must be shortened. This can be done only through conscious efforts on the part of all of us to meet our commitments to project time schedules and costs.
In terms of overall project costs, typically a twin-unit 500 MWe PHWR would be a "mega project". Mega projects of this nature can no longer be funded or managed by a single entity such as NPCIL. Thus it is essential to forge partnerships between NPCIL and other industrial establishments in India in such a manner that nuclear power projects can be effectively set up, in an economical manner, within acceptable gestation periods. Since international funding is not available for the nuclear power projects set up in India, we must find ways and means to obtain long-term loans.
Conclusion
A few typical examples of design efforts put in for PHWR based power plant are enumerated in this article. The design and development process of these has been quite interesting and experts from various divisions of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Nuclear Fuel Complex, Electronic Corporation of India Limited and other DAE units, consultancy organisations and industry have contributed in a large measure in this exercise.
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