23.10.13

Kudankulam #1 goes on stream

After years of delay due to technical glitches and protests, the Kudankulam nuclear power plant went on stream on Tuesday. At 2.45 am, unit-1 began transmitting 160 MW of electricity to the southern grid.
The plant, based in Tirunelveli, started supplying power more than a decade after construction began in 2001 and in the face of stiff opposition from residents who fear a repeat of Fukushima. Total cost on the two units has so far exceeded Rs.14,000 crore.
The synchronization process of feeding power to the grid took place even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wound up his visit to Moscow, where talks were held for the supply of two more Russian reactors of 1,000 MW each for the plant. When entirely commissioned, the Kudankulam complex will have the largest capacity of nuclear power in India.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board had approved generation of 500 MW. Once the reactor attains 50% of generation capacity, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd will have to submit a proposal to AERB to enhance the plant’s capacity.
15-YR WAIT ENDS
1998 : India, Russia sign pact for nuclear plant
2001 : Construction work of plant commences
2011 : Protests begin after test run at plant
May 2013 : SC clears it, but lays down conditions
July 2013 : Unit-1 of project attains criticality
Oct 22, 2013 : Transmits 160MW to southern grid 

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