Power generation in the first reactor of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) was hit on Wednesday night due to a “technical snag” in the switch yard.
Sources in the KKNPP confirmed that the snag hit power generation around 7.30 p.m.
Engineers were deployed to identify the problem.
Generation to be restored in 72 hours
“As some tests were conducted in the switch yard, a minor problem got triggered externally that led to the release of steam. Consequently, the reactor tripped due to the safety measures we’ve incorporated. There is no problem in the reactor or in the turbine section and there is no damage to these vital sections,” the sources said, adding that power generation would commence within the next 72 hours.
Commercial power generation in the first 1,000 MWe reactor commenced at 12.01 a.m. on December 30 after the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited gave the green signal.
The first 1,000 MWe VVER reactor, built with Russian assistance, attained criticality on July 13, 2013 and power generation was gradually increased amidst mandatory tests stipulated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
