US-based, Westinghouse Electric is planning to build a new 1,000 MW nuclear reactor in India under the framework of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal signed in 2008.

Westinghouse has entered into a deal with India’s the Nuclear Power Company of India Limited (NPCIL) for the Early Works Agreement (EWA) for the establishment of the nuclear reactor. The MoU was announced at a time when the third Indo-US Strategic Dialogue headed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is being held in the US.

The US Energy Department has awarded $40 million to Westinghouse Electric Co. and San Diego-based General Atomics. Each of the firm will receive $20 million each.

According to the Energy Department, this award will help these organizations to develop the next generation nuclear power reactor. The prize will definitely enhance firm's conceptual design and planning work for the advance reactor.

Westinghouse Electric Co. belongs to Toshiba Corporation while General Atomics is a privately held firm.