Kanyakumari: Representatives of the nucÂlear regulators of 11 countries operating reactors of Russian VVER design are highly impressed about the safety systems in the KudaÂnkulam nuclear power project (KKNPP), according to Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) chairman S.S. Bajaj.
Speaking to mediapersons on the concluding day of the three-day meeting of the VVER Regulators ForÂum on Friday, organised for the first time in India at KaÂnÂyakumari since the inception of the forum in 1993, the AERB chairman said the conference, attended by 14 nuclear experts from the nuclear regulatory bodies of 11 countries including ChÂina, Russia, the Czech ReÂÂpublic, Slovakia, Iran, FinÂland and Bulgaria, helÂped in mutual sharing of the review methodologies adopted by different regulatory bodies enhancing global nuclear safety in the VVÂER-type reactors.
The meeting dealt with comprehensive information about latest updates and recent developments in legislation, nuclear safety, regulatory activities, operational aspects of special interest, probabilistic safety assessment. The main thrust of the Regulators FoÂrum was on the measures taken after the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan.
“The three-day meeting was useful as we shared our experience towards harmoÂnising regulatory practiÂces,” said the AERB chairman. He also added that the successful commissioning of India’s first 1,000 Mwe, VVÂER-type pressurised liÂght water reactor at the KudaÂnkÂÂÂulam nuclear plant was the special reason for selecting Kanyakumari as the venue for this important, international event since most members of the forum wanted to visit KKÂNPP that incorporates special passive and active safety aspects.
“The delegates visited KKÂNPP, the first unit of which was synchronised to the naÂtÂional gÂrid recently and were quÂite impressed by its safety aspects,” Bajaj said. AERB vice-chairman S. Duraisamy, secretary R. BhÂaÂtÂtacharya, director (nuÂcÂÂlear projects safety division) K.J. Vakharwala, and director (operating safety division) P.R. KrishnÂamuÂrthy, and senior AEÂRB officials were present during the press briefing.
Next: Full power of 1,000 MWe only if plant Fulfils regulatory norms:?AERB chairman
Full power of 1,000 MWe only if plant Fulfils regulatory norms:?AERB chairman
M. Aruloli | DC
Kanyakumari: If the Kudankulam nucÂlear power project (KKÂNPP) administration fulfils all the regulatory reqÂuirements to the fullÂest satisfaction of the AtoÂmic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for its first unit, it can go ahead with achieving 1,000 Mwe witÂhin this month, said AEÂRB chairman S.S. Bajaj.
Reacting to the claim by some Union ministers and NPCIL officials that they would be able to generate 1,000 Mwe by this December, he said, “It is for them to reach the target if they comply with all the regulatory norms to the fullest satisfaction of the AERB.”
However, indirectly indÂiÂcÂating that it was not an easy job to satisfy the AERB that has a big team of 300 nuclear scientists and engineers scrutinising every aspect of safety as per around 140 courses and guides of the regulatory body, Mr Bajaj said the first unit of KKNPP has been under AERB review for more than a decade — since it gave siting clearance for the project.
He explained that the nuclear regulatory body has very minutely examined the project at every phase and given approval for fuel loading, attaining criticality, low-power phyÂsical test and to increase the reactor power up to 50 per cent.
“Even after these apprÂovals, they (KKNPP) are supposed to do a series of mandatory tests,” he exÂplÂained who added that the plant has not been given clearance for commercial generation to feÂed the grid and power generation now was merely for testing.
He said siting clearance for the third and fourth reactors at KKNPP have been given, while the application to start excaÂvaÂÂtion work is being revÂiewed. However, he ruled out nuclear recycling plant at KudÂankÂulam.
On the Jaitapur nuclear park in Maharashtra, he said, “We have not given any substantial clearance for any of the activities for the Jaitapur project.
