Second KNPP unit to generate power

As officials were in the process of giving final touches, the second 1,000 MW unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) is expected to generate power by the end of the year.

“The steam flow path and steam relief devices has been tested successfully during the hot run process. Dummy fuel also been removed,” said KNPP site director R S Sundar.

After getting clearance from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), real fuel will be loaded in the reactor.

“The electricity generation in the second unit is expected likely by this year end after it attains criticality,” said Sundar.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCI) sources said like unit-1 of KNPP, the unit two reactor will also be loaded with fuel assemblies containing Uranium Oxide.

“Once the fuel is loaded the criticality of the unit is expected in November 2015,” a senior official from NPCI said.

The second unit has achieved a physical progress of more than 98.44 per cent. The NPCI official said measures are being taken to avoid recurrence of several technical snags, including turbine problem, during the operations of first unit.

Accordingly, the first approach to criticality for the second unit was undertaken after conforming to all the criteria for system performances as per the design requirements and after meeting all the stipulated statutory and regulatory requirements.

“Then the plant will be synchronised to the southern grid within expected period of 30 to 45 days from criticality,” he said, adding that in the subsequent stages, after completion of procedural and regulatory requirements, power will be increased in steps of 50 per cent, 75 per cent, 90 per cent and 100 per cent. 

Second unit
The unit-2 of KNPP will be the 22nd nuclear power reactor in the country and the second pressurised water reactor belonging to light water reactor category.

The power generation of the first unit of the 1,000 MW KNPP has been suspended for 60 days as part of annual maintenance and refuelling works.

Meanwhile, the KNPP unit-1, which is under maintenance, is expected to generate power in another month.