State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has proposed international partnership to tap the Nuclear Reactor Turbine Market (NRTM) in the country, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Praful Patel told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Patel said in a written reply to the house: "BHEL is further making efforts to associate with other international nuclear reactor vendors for possible cooperation to manufacture the components of higher size reactors."

A Joint Venture Company (JVC) for execution of Conventional Island (Turbine side) for 700 MWe nuclear power plants is contemplated to be set up between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), BHEL and Alstom of France, he informed.

BHEL has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Feb 2011 with NPCIL and Alstom for formation of JVC for execution of Conventional Island (Turbine side) of Nuclear Power Plant for 700 MWe and above.

Based on the MoU, BHEL received orders for manufacture and supply of Steam Turbine Generator package in consortium with Alstom for 2x700 MWe nuclear power plant of NPCIL at Kakrapar Units 3 & 4.

With that MoU Steam Turbine components are being manufactured and supplied by BHEL and Alstom, and balance equipment including erection & commissioning is being undertaken by BHEL..

BHEL shall be manufacturing Steam Turbine components based on manufacturing drawings given by Alstom.

He asserted that in Jan 2011, an MoU has also been signed between BHEL and GE-Hitachi (USA) for possible cooperation to Manufacture components of higher size reactors (1000 MWe & above).