HomeAccording to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), the fast developing nuclear sector in India, which earlier attracted only leading players from the engineering and manufacturing sectors, now holds immense business opportunity for SME players as well.
According to AEC, there is a huge demand for indigenously manufactured critical components for nuclear reactors in the country. At the moment, only leading engineering companies are manufacturing nuclear equipments in India, but if they are given proper space, the SME players can also contribute significantly to it.
P Rao, MD of Temp Tech, a mid-sized manufacturer of temperature measuring instruments in Chembur, Mumbai, says, 'To meet the huge power shortage in the country, the Indian government is giving significant importance to the development of nuclear reactors. But at the same time, the government is also trying to produce nuclear energy at cheaper costs, which is only possible if nuclear components are manufactured indigenously.'
SME Constraints
Although this scenario has opened a huge market before the SME players to venture into the nuclear component manufacturing sector, there are some constraints to it at the moment.
NA Patel, Technical Consultant of Mirang Engineering Company, a mid-sized heat exchanger manufacturing unit in Gujarat, opines, 'SMEs can play a significant role in manufacturing cost-effective nuclear components since their operation cost is lower as compared to that of larger players. But to manufacture such sensitive and sophisticated equipments, there is a need to procure necessary skills as well as knowledge, which the SMEs lag.'
Currently, only a handful of SME players are engaged in manufacturing nuclear equipment such as heat exchangers, pressure vessels, tanks, condensers, coolers, reaction vessels and air receivers. To encourage more such players to tap the potential of the nuclear market, the Indian government along with the AEC, is considering intensive training programs.
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