: Mumbai, May 25, 2021
Further to the announcement in January 2021 regarding setting up of India’s first radioisotope production (reactor) and processing facility complex in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode for production of medical radioisotopes, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has informed that the design, regulatory clearances and other preparatory work for the Research Reactor is moving at a good pace. This facility complex will be one of the largest single facilities for production/processing of isotopes in the world in terms of volume. This will be first of its kind PPP in the world. The project is on track to initiate the formal Request for Proposal (RfP) process for selection of the private partner in the 4th quarter of year 2021.
DAE through one of its subsidiaries (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, NPCIL) will be taking the responsibility of constructing the Reactor, including the upfront capital expenditure for construction. It is expected that the partner should be able to get high return on the capital invested.
An informal pre-RfP consultation session was organized on 15th April, 2021 to provide an overview of the project to potential private partners. This session saw participation from more than 30 officials representing 17 companies across 4 continents including many Indian corporate houses. The participants represented businesses across the nuclear medicine value chain such as nuclear medicine, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, medical devices and nuclear reactor equipment suppliers from USA, Canada, Argentina, Russia, France, UK etc., and two to three Indian suppliers. The discussion was very positive wherein many entities have shown keen interest. It covered variety of topics including technical, financial, partnership details and other interests.
DAE is planning to continue the interaction with potential partners (investors). Next such informal interaction is being planned during July 2021. Formal series of interaction are planned in September/October 2021 when RfP will also be floated. DAE plans to conclude the RfP process by March 2022.
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SC/DAE/PM
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