Framatome has launched its operations in India with the opening of a base in Navi Mumbai, attended by representatives of the French embassy and consulate, Électricité de France (EDF) and the group. This step forms part of a strategy of local establishment serving Indian and international projects. The company targets support for life-extension programmes and future builds, including small modular reactors. The inauguration comes as India sets a target of 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.
Engineering capacities and local recruitment
Framatome highlights the availability of engineering skills in India and plans to recruit to strengthen its teams. Activities cover mechanics, processes, electricity and instrumentation and control (I&C), with a ramp-up dedicated to multi-country projects. The group notes it has been present in India via Jeumont Electric and Corys, now complemented by an operational base. “India offers a pool of engineering talent and, to support our expansion, we plan to hire more qualified professionals,” said Grégoire Ponchon, Chief Executive Officer of Framatome.
The stated priorities focus on Long-Term Operations (LTO, life extension) of existing plants and on new programmes, including Small Modular Reactors (SMR). The Indian site is intended to serve as an engineering and project management platform for local and export markets. Framatome indicates it is coordinating with EDF in view of potential future developments in India. “We are happy to expand our presence as the country enters a new phase of nuclear energy development,” added Grégoire Ponchon.
Industrial cooperation and owner support
The Indian subsidiary already supports global projects with multidisciplinary capabilities. The local management mentions targeted collaboration with Indian utilities and industrial partners for life extensions and new builds. The stated objective is to mobilise global expertise on specific engineering and integration needs. “We support Framatome’s global projects with skills in mechanics, processes, electricity and I&C, and wish to work with Indian operators,” said Navnith Nair, Chief Executive Officer of Framatome India.
Capacity data and fleet trajectory
India has 25 reactors in service for an installed capacity of about nine GW, representing nearly 3% of electricity production. A pipeline of about 13 GW is under development at various stages. Total nuclear capacity would thus exceed 22 GW once these projects are commissioned. “We will contribute to life extensions and, in coordination with the EDF group, to new builds as the sector evolves,” added Navnith Nair.
