Dr Kalirajan S. is the Managing Director of EDF Nuclear Projects India Private Limited, the Indian subsidiary of EDF, France. In his current role, he spearheads EDF’s EPR technology deployment in India, including the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, and leads the development of local supply chain and engineering capabilities to support the country’s nuclear ambitions.
With over 35 years of experience in the nuclear sector, Dr. Kalirajan has worked across project construction, infrastructure development, technology deployment, and business leadership.
He began his career in 1989 with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, at its Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (Units 3 and 4). There, he was involved in the construction of the 2×235 MW pressurised heavy water reactor units.
He later contributed to infrastructure planning for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project and subsequently worked on-site during the construction of the 2×1000 MW pressurised water reactor units developed in collaboration with the Russian Federation. During this period, he introduced innovative construction methods to accelerate project delivery. Following the Fukushima accident in 2011, he established a Nuclear Information Centre at the site to address public safety concerns.
According to Dr Kalirajan, India’s power sector is entering a new phase, with nuclear energy emerging as a critical pillar for reliable base-load generation. “Nuclear energy is uniquely positioned to provide large-scale, low-carbon, continuous electricity to support this transition.
As the economy grows, India will need a balanced energy mix capable of meeting rising power demand,” he notes.
Drawing on his experience in the nuclear sector, he identifies public acceptance as a major challenge for nuclear energy expansion.
Concerns around radiation and nuclear safety continue to shape public opinion, requiring transparent communication and sustained community engagement. He also highlights the urgent need to strengthen human capital development. “Building the next generation of skilled professionals will require increased collaboration between academic institutions and industry, particularly in research and development,” he adds.
Dr Kalirajan has a doctoral degree in civil engineering from Anna University, Chennai.