The second unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP-2), was synchronized with the Southern grid recently.
The unit is presently operating at 245 MW. The reactor power will be increased in steps to full power of 1000 MW as per laid down procedures and in line with stage-wise regulatory clearances accorded by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
KKNPP-2 will add 1000 MW capacity to the southern grid and raise the contribution of nuclear power in the country from the current installed capacity of 5780 MW to 6780 MW. The electricity generated by the unit will be allocated to the beneficiaries in the southern region, with firm shares to the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
KKNPP 1&2 (2X1000 MW) are the largest size electricity generating units in the country. These are Light Water Reactors of VVER — 1000 type set up in technical cooperation with the Russian Federation in the first phase. Kudankulam site had been accorded in principle approval for locating six units each of 1000 MW in technical cooperation with Russian Federation. The excavation work on the second phase comprising of Units 3&4 (KKNPP 3&4 — 2X1000 MW), which have already been sanctioned by the government, is in progress.