Unit-I of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) was on Tuesday synchronised to the southern grid and generated about 165 MW of electricity. It would reach 1,000 MW generation by December, said R S Sundar, Site Director, KKNPP.
The two units of VVER reactors, each having 1,000 MW capacity located at Koodankulam in Tirunelveli district, are being implemented in technical collaboration with Russia at a cost of Rs 17,200 crore, though the initial cost was Rs 13,171 crore.
After getting the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) approval, Unit-1 was synchronised to the grid. With this, KKNPP has become the 20th nuclear power station of NPCIL, connected to the power grid.
Speaking to reporters at Anu Vijay township, which houses the quarters of KKNPP staff, at Chettikulam near Koodankulam, Sundar said at 2.45 am, Unit-1 was synchronised with the southern grid.
Initially, the power generated was 60 MW to 70 MW. Subsequently, it was increased up to 165 MW. It went on for about 2 hours, after which the generation was stopped, though the reactor remained operational.
Sundar said though generation was halted, it would again start from Wednesday and yield up to 300 to 350 MW. “After a week, we would apply to the AERB for 500 MW power production. Then it would be raised to 750 MW and 1,000 MW in stages,” he added.