Brighton Equipment Corporation (BEC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with officials of the Andhra Pradesh state government to construct a USD 645 million plant in Nakkapally village, in coastal Visakhapatnam, to manufacture equipment for nuclear power projects. Production will be focused especially on the large steel components that are used in third-generation nuclear power plants for the Indian and global nuclear markets. In addition to the nuclear plant components, equipment will be manufactured for the petrochemical industry, conventional thermal and hydro power plants, and the shipbuilding industry. The government has allocated 800 acres of land for the plant site and has promised further land allocations for ancillary and downstream projects. All infrastructure facilities, including water, power and road connectivity will be provided for what is one of the largest foreign direct investments in the state’s manufacturing sector. The overall project, with support and downstream factories, is scheduled for completion by 2016 and will provide employment for 10,000 people. The engineering manufacturing plant is scheduled to begin production in two years and will provide direct employment for 2,500 people.
