The removal of dummy fuel assemblies at unit-1 (reactor-1) may be completed on Saturday, said Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) Site Director R S Sundar.
The process to remove dummy fuel assemblies started on May 25 after the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) gave clearance on May 10.
After unsealing the reactor pressure vessel on May 21, officials started removing dummy fuel assemblies. Totally, 163 dummy fuel assemblies, each around 4.5 metre long, are being removed.
Sundar told Express on Friday, that the removal of dummy fuel assemblies was in its final stage. Around 80 per cent of theassemblies were removed. The process was likely to be completed on Saturday. After this, the reactor vessel would be inspected. Three experts from Croatia inspected the tools of the reactor.
The site director said that after the process was over, a report would be submitted to AERB and permission would be sought for loading enriched uranium fuel.