The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has begun loading enriched uranium fuel rods in the first reactor of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu following a green signal from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
“The fuel loading started on Wednesday. It is expected to be completed in about a week,” said a highly placed source in the government.
Replying to a query, AERB Secretary R. Bhattacharya said the Board granted its final approval for loading of 163 fuel assemblies containing about 80 tonnes of low enriched uranium fuel on Tuesday evening, after the NPCIL had fulfilled all the stipulated conditions.
To another question, he said the unit could go into operation in about three to four months after several rounds of tests. “At every stage, the NPCIL would have to seek the approval of the AERB before proceeding to the next step.”
Speaking to The Hindu, he said that an AERB team was supervising the fuel loading process on a day-to-day basis at Kudankulam.
The nuclear plant, with two units of 1,000 MW capacity each, has been built with Russian collaboration. It will use light water as booth coolant and moderator. Russia, which has provided all equipment, including the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators and turns, will supply the fuel for the life time of the reactors.
The first unit was earlier scheduled to go on stream about a year ago. But, the process was halted after the Tamil Nadu government asked the Centre to suspend all operations till those residing in the neighbourhood, who had launched a protest on safety aspects, were reassured that there would be no danger to them. Work was resumed in March this year after the State government gave its nod following a series of meetings and reports by expert committees.
Keywords: anti-Kudankulam protest, KKNPP, anti-nuclear protest, PMANE, nuclear safety, AERB, fuel loading
I don't know why the government did not take the time out to explain to these ill-informed crowds (I keep reading these were instigated by some Christian missionaries; I don't know if this is true)on the safety of Nuclear power plants and how it is going to put an end to the power drought of Tamil Nadu. Even Japan has gone back to Nuclear after its devastating tsunami.
Very good. When the court, after hearing the arguments from pro and anti Kundankulam nuclear plant, has shown green light for project to proceed, why the opponents continue to protest. Why such people are not being arrested for contempt of court. We will never be able to settle on anything if we continue to disrespect courts.
It is very unfortunate that inspite of so much protest they are moving
ahead with this.I would have been very frightened if all this was
happening in my vicinity.The fear of the people is genuine.
I hope it to bring clean energy to the country and not a destruction, the likes of chreno/fukushima. on the other hand the central and state government should educate the protestors and the country citizens on the safety of the plant.
Excellent. I am waiting for the criticality of the power station. We can not allow these ill informed lot to impede our power grneration programme.
Inspite of so much protests, finally npcil has started fuel loading. It is a welcome move towards securing energy security. I wish everything will go well.
Well done Thamizh Nadu the way to progress to built a better and a
brighter state and a nation.
This is good news for all those who have been waiting so long to see the power station to start running.
Hope all goes well leading to successful commissioning of the plant and contributing to the electricity needs of Tamil Nadu!
I also hope that govt would make the AERB autonomous so that public may have greater confidence on the certification process and for greater transparency on the safety regulation of nuclear plants. Without taking pro-active steps such as these the nuclear power may not have a long future in India and that would be a shame for nation's economy and the environment.
Koodankulam Nuclear Plant has no licence as per Sec 14 of Atomic Energy
Act 1962, because the Parliament has not enacted the rules as per the
Act.As per Sec 16 of the Act AERB has the right only giving permission
of safety.
I wish all success to the team. I wish the reactor runs at stipulated
power level and for stipulated time duration without any interruptions.
The issues of creation of a "truly independent" safety authority and an
independent Radiation monitoring institute remain the questions to be
answered.
Producing clean and green energy from KKNPP is the most possible pro-people and pro-Nature energy generation. This is the fact with the technology available with us.All the best wishes to start pumping the clean energy from KKNPP to the needy public.
All the Best.
A much awaited event happening after long delay because of protesters with blind motive.
Great Great Great Great Great .......Milestone...
Finally, the fruit of years of hard work are paying off. It is truly a victory of progress over ignorance and backward thinking. A day to be celebrated indeed.
Congrats to the KNPP team. Thanks for making efforts to restore power
situation in South India.
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