Russia to Supply Four Nuclear Reactors for Kudankulam Nuclear Project in Tamil Nadu

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Following an agreement signed with India in June 2008, Russia will develop four 1,000-megawatt (MW) light water reactors in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu. The four VVER reactors will be developed in addition to the two units already under construction at the site.

India has also signed pacts with Russia covering the sharing of information on nuclear technology. The techno-commercial accord is the only one yet to be signed and this is likely to be finalized in June this year. India is now allowed to buy technology and nuclear equipment after the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) lifted the ban on the trade of nuclear power reactors, equipment and technology last year. Russia is one of the nuclear supplier states in the 45-member NSG. However, there has been a delay in procuring foreign nuclear reactors, as India had to complete discussions addressing financial terms, technical specifications, transportation, supply of equipment and safety before starting nuclear trade with NSG.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) (Mumbai), a wholly owned enterprise of the government solely responsible for generating power from nuclear fuels in the country, is setting up the nuclear power plant in Kudankulam in the Tirunelveli-Kattabomman District of Tamil Nadu. When complete, the plant complex will comprise six 1,000-MW pressurized water reactors. NPCIL is planning to set up two more reactors. Work began on the first two units in September 2001. With 90.6% work completed on the first unit, NPCIL expects to start commercial power generation from the unit by December 2009. The second unit is likely to begin supplying power by May 2010. The commissioning of the two units, which were scheduled to start operations in 2007 and 2008, respectively, has been delayed by nearly 24 months because of delays in the supply of critical equipment from Russia.

The first two units of the Kudankulam facility was set up as a joint venture in collaboration with Atomstroyexport (Moscow, Russia) for nearly $2.5 billion. Atomstroyexport, a major nuclear power equipment and services firm, was responsible for designing the reactors and supplying reactor equipment and enriched uranium for the plant. Equipment for the plant includes reactor coolant pipelines, reactor coolant pump casings and pressure vessels.

NPCIL plans to distribute 900 MW of power generated from the first two units to Tamil Nadu while the remaining power generated will be supplied to the other southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.

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