Building of units 3 & 4 of Kudankulam nuke power plant begins

The construction work of units 3 and 4 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, being built in tie-up with Russia, commenced today with the ceremonial pouring of concrete.

"The first pour of concrete for units 3&4 of KKNPP was achieved today at 15:50 hrs," an official said. First pour of concrete is a "landmark" in the project in Tirunelveli district of southern Tamil Nadu, signalling the start of construction works on the units, each with 1000 MW capacity, KKNPP site officials said.

"It is considered as zero date of the project and the civil construction of reactor, turbine and auxiliary buildings will be in full swing," an official release said.

The event was held in the presence of senior officials including Chairman and Managing Director S K Sharma of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Director (Projects) R Banerjee, Site Director S V Jinna and the Russian specialist group chief Ivanisov.

Banerjee said Unit 3 is scheduled to be completed in March 2023 and unit 4 the subsequent year. On their completion, KKNPP site will add 2000 MW more electricity to the grid, and in total the site will produce 4000 MW power," he said.

Meanwhile, the Russian firm that built the joint venture plant also said construction of the two units commenced today.

"Today we commence the construction of the third and fourth power units," Valery Limarenko, president of JSC ASE EC, was quoted as saying in a statement.

The event marked commencement of full-scale construction, thermal and electrical erection works at the site and the installation of Russian equipment, Andrey Lebedev, Vice President, Projects in South Asia, said.

In significant milestones concerning the multi-million rupees joint venture this year so far, the 1000 mw second unit began its commercial operation on March 31, giving a boost to atomic power generation in the country.

In April, the responsibility to operate Unit 1 had been entrusted fully to the Indian side by JSC ASE EC, following the signing of a joint statement by it and the NPCIL, confirming the fulfilment of all warranty terms and obligations of the overseas contractor.