Power generation at KNPP to resume after preparatory work

CHENNAI: Power generation in the first unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, which was shut down after running for a couple of hours on Tuesday, would resume soon after completion of preparatory work and certain mandatory procedures, a senior official of KNPP said here today.

"Preparatory works are now on. We are following procedures. The reactor continues to be operational. However, there are also certain mandatory procedures to be done after which power generation will resume soon," KNPP Site Director R S Sundar told PTI.

The first unit, which was synchronised on October 22 with the southern power grid, produced 165 MW power in two hours before it was shut down.

KNPP had said power would be increased gradually towards the 1000 MW benchmark by December this year once the unit attains operational stability.

Unit 1 had attained criticality on July 13, this year after much delay following protests against the project by anti-nuclear activists in areas around the complex, citing safety reasons.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd is constructing two 1,000 MW units at KNPP jointly with Russia at Kudankulam in Tiruneveli district, some 650 km from here.