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The first unit has a capacity of 1,000 MWe
The loading of low enriched uranium fuel bundles into the first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu will begin “in a matter of days,” according to S.S. Bajaj, Chairman, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
The first unit has a capacity of 1,000 MWe. The AERB had on August 10 given the approval for initial fuel loading and the first approach to criticality of the first reactor.
“We gave the clearance [on August 10] for the fuel loading, subject to some prerequisites. Once they [the KKNPP personnel] meet those requisites with regard to equipment and last-minute things are done, we will review the outcome and we will give the [final] clearance based on that. After we review the prerequisites and there is a satisfactory resolution …, we will give the clearance. In-principle clearance has already been given but it was subject to final things to be done,” Mr. Bajaj said on Friday from Mumbai.
Asked when the fuel loading will begin, he said, “In a matter of days.”
Two Russian reactors have been built in Kudankulam by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.
The 1,000 MWe reactors will use enriched uranium as fuel and light water as both moderator and coolant. Each reactor has 163 fuel assemblies which will be loaded into the core. Each fuel assembly weighs 705 kg and is 4.57 metres long.
Keywords: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, fuel loading, AERB
Sir,
Without Nuclear power country cannot survive, forget about progress. Our fossil fuels cannot provide clean/ assured energy . All want power but no wants pollution. modern Nuclear plants are as much safe as the fossil fuel power plants. Always attention is paid to the maintenance of these plants, automatic shutting & radiation prevention shields are provided and even people can stay in the plant area for about three days after melt down if it happens. Politicians / half knowledged people insticate the mobs to protest. Japan,s Fukushima nuclear power plant had been hit by a quake of such intensity till now such massive quake has not been reported. Pl donot think of these (Fukushima, Chernobyl) accidents . After all more people die in road accidents / fire accidents every year, in our country. Pl think of these things.
Congratulations!
While i appreciate the successful commissioning of the first phase of KKNPP amidst lot of public protests, there should be a sensible,logical allocation of power.Though TamilNadu has a territorial jurisdiction over the plant, one can understand the risk involved associated with the plant and the mental agony or apprehension in mind of people of neighboring states like Kerala, in the event of any accidents.That should be adequately compensated with more power allocation other than the scheduled allocation from the Center(Since Kerala also is passing through severe power shortage now)
Hope the government is well geared up to thwart any untoward incidents and to protect the employees who are working hard to make this project a success. It is now only a matter of time.
As they announce start up of Koodankulam they raise fuel prices. Nuclear power is
very expensive as opposed to solar which is FREE after initial investment, Uranium fuel
costs in crores. So how will they get the money? By raising your fuel and gas prices.
For them it's a win win, for losses are incurred by nuclear will be paid by you and me in
taxes. If there is an accident, Russia has already said it will go scot free So it will be
billions of dollars for us to be in slavery to the oil and nuclear industry FOREVER (which
is music to their ears) Sleep on as in the future you won't even have money to buy food
as your paycheck will just cover the transport costs and your gas and electricity bills.
But who needs food if we can have gas and electricity. We can always zap ourselves
and get energy that way! Foolish compatriots, who can see how dangerous this
technology has been to Japan. Today an earthquake in China, last week off Indonesia
both warning us on announcements of nuclear startup
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