The delegation was comprised Swedish nuclear companies like Sandpit, Swenson, SKB International Consulting AB, Studbook, ES-consult and Rel con Candlepower AB.
Sweden has considerable expertise in nuclear waste management and areas relating to nuclear security. We are exploring opportunities of partnering with India in this area, Sweden’s Ambassador to India Lars-Olof Lindgren said.
The Sweden companies are also in contact with Indian private firms like Larsen & Toubro Limited and Bharat Forge Limited. These companies are interested in production of nuclear power, presently the monopoly of the government in India.
Lindgren wanted to express that Sweden, like other Scandinavian countries, was interested to support a agreement for India in 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Lindgren also explained the possibilities of support in renewable solar and wind energy and clean energy technologies in which Sweden is a pacesetter.
Sweden, for its energy needs, depends nearly 50% on nuclear power. In a radical departure from its established policy, the Government of Sweden has cancelled a ban on construction of new nuclear reactors in February 2009, as it wanted to avoid producing more greenhouse gases.
Lindgren said that the Swedish government is now looking at to replace old reactors with new reactors.
By 2020, the Indian nuclear power market is expected to reach $40 billion. Nuclear companies from US, Russia, France and Kazakhstan, the four countries with which India has signed bilateral nuclear agreements, are competing to get a share of the nuclear pie.
British firms specializing in nuclear safety and research have also opened contacts with India.
