In a significant boost to India's nuclear energy sector, Core Energy Systems Ltd. and U.S.-based Flowserve Corporation have announced a collaboration to manufacture Primary Coolant Pumps (PCPs) locally. This marks the first technology transfer of its kind to India under the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation framework, strengthening India's nuclear Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) fleet.

The agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony in Washington, D.C., with representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Indian Embassy in attendance. PCPs are critical components of nuclear power plants, ensuring the reactor core's safety by continuously supplying coolant to remove heat, thus enabling uninterrupted and secure power generation.

The U.S. Department of Energy has granted Flowserve authorization under 10 CFR Part 810, enabling the transfer of its advanced PCP technology to India. This is the first approval of its kind for an Indian partner and follows an assurance from India's Department of Atomic Energy that the technology will be used exclusively for peaceful civil nuclear purposes.

Ihab Botros, Vice President and General Manager for Engineered Pumps at Flowserve, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that it marks a significant step forward in India's nuclear growth and the global clean energy transition. He also noted Flowserve's extensive experience in the nuclear industry, with over 5,000 pumps operating in more than 200 reactors worldwide. Flowserve aims to support India's growing nuclear ambitions, viewing India as an important part of the industry's future. The manufacturing of these pumps will take place at Flowserve's Coimbatore, India facility.

Nagesh Basarkar, Chairman and Managing Director of CORE Energy Systems, highlighted the importance of this collaboration for India's nuclear ambitions. He emphasized that localizing the manufacturing of primary coolant pumps delivers world-class technology to India's nuclear sector and strengthens national supply-chain resilience. Basarkar also noted CORE Energy Systems' two-decade-long contribution to India's strategic engineering journey and that this partnership aligns with the Prime Minister's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

The collaboration is a direct step toward realizing India's vision for greater private participation in the civil nuclear energy sector and its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. India currently operates 25 nuclear reactors, generating 8,880 MW, with eight new units (6.6 GW) under construction and an ambitious target of 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. This partnership will enhance India's capacity to independently build, operate, and expand its civil nuclear fleet.