GEH, a world-leading nuclear technology and services provider, signed separate agreements with Mumbai-based NPCIL, India's only nuclear utility operating 17 reactors, and New Delhi-based BHEL, the country's leading manufacturer and supplier of power generation equipment and components.

The two government-owned companies are helping lead India's efforts to expand electricity generation from nuclear energy in the world's largest democracy more than tenfold over the next two decades, from 4.1 GW today to 60 GW by 2032.

Under the preliminary agreements, GEH will begin planning with NPCIL and BHEL for the necessary resources in manufacturing and construction management for a potential multiple-unit Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) nuclear power station.

The 1,350-MW ABWR technology is the world's only commercially proven Generation III reactor design, with the first two of four units entering service in 1996 and 1997 and four additional units under construction today.

"We are extremely pleased to partner with companies of the caliber of NPCIL and BHEL for potential nuclear plant projects, which further demonstrates the global industry's confidence in our ABWR technology," said Jack Fuller, president and CEO of GEH.

"We look forward to working closely with NPCIL to expand electricity generation for the people of India. Toward this end, we also look forward to combining the expertise of BHEL with GEH's experienced, global ABWR supply chain capabilities."

The memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed after GEH executives recently led a U.S. nuclear industry trade delegation to India to explore potential opportunities to partner with local companies on future nuclear plant projects.

The new agreements lay the foundation for cooperation between GEH and the two Indian companies as additional steps are taken by the Indian and U.S. governments to implement the agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation they signed in October 2008. These efforts, including adopting a civil liability law and other regulations, continue to progress.

India and the International Atomic Energy Agency signed a nuclear safeguards agreement last month in Vienna, representing a critical milestone and sign of further progress towards full implementation of the agreement between the U.S. and Indian governments.

Nuclear energy is important in GEH's long-standing ties with India. The General Electric Company (GE) built India's first nuclear plant, the Tarapur 1 and 2 boiling water reactor (BWR) station, during the 1960s.

Today, GE's global businesses participate in a wide range of manufacturing, services and technology sectors in India, as GE seeks to be a partner in the nation's growth. GE's revenues in India are approximately $2.6 billion, and the company employs more than 14,500 people across the country.

In addition to the Generation III ABWR, GEH also offers customers its Generation III+ Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR). The evolutionary, advanced passive safety design, based on the ABWR, currently is progressing in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's design certification process.

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