The first 1,000-MW unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant is likely to be synchronised with the southern power grid by the end of this month, with the supply of 400 MW, Minister of State in the PMO V. Narayanasamy said on Friday. He was addressing a conference organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and industry of India (Assocham) on nuclear power here.
Mr. Narayanasamy said the unit would, however, start supplying power to the grid only by October-end, when it would operate to its capacity.
“Power generation is being stepped up gradually since the unit went critical [on July 13]. It is likely to reach 40 per cent of the capacity by the end of this month, when it would be synchronised with the grid. It would then be stepped up to 50 per cent, 75 per cent, 90 per cent and finally 100 per cent.”
Work on the second unit — also of 1,000 MW — was progressing well, and it was likely to start operation by March next.
The Minister said work on the country’s first fast-breeder reactor at Kalpakkam was almost complete, and the reactor was likely to be commissioned by September next year. Talks were on with France for building a nuclear power plant at Jaitapur.
South Korean Ambassador to India Joon-Gyu Lee called for strengthening bilateral ties through civil nuclear cooperation, and was confident of a positive outcome at the Korea-India nuclear cooperation seminar scheduled for later this year.
