27.2.12

Kudankulum N-plant nearly ready

The Kudankulam nuclear power plant is set to be operationalized, with its first 1,000mw unit to kickstart operations as soon as the project’s safety audits are completed, with local resistance now reduced to a few hundred protesters. While the report of the expert group set up by Tamil Nadu is awaited, the state government is more supportive of the project being commissioned. Also, the Centre’s action against NGOs alleged to have diverted foreign funds to fuel the stir is seen a precursor to the plant being activated. Srikumar Banerjee, secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, said it would not be easy to outline a timeframe, but the process of loading fuel could get underway once the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was consulted. According to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, the two units are “99% and 94%” ready, and the first unit can be up and running in six to eight weeks.

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