TIRUNELVELI: The first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant (KKNPP) may go for commercial generation in a couple of months, according to project site director R.S. Sundar who said some tests are being planned without shutting down the unit.
Speaking to DC, Mr Sundar said unlike in the earlier stages when the turbine engine was stalled after achieving the targeted level in the process of raising reactor power generation capacity to study reactor behaviour, the generation process need not be stopped after reaching full reactor capacity.
“The first unit is operational to its full generation capacity and we have planned certain tests when the reactor is on in full swing,” added Mr Sundar who said unless a discrepancy was found, generation would not be stalled.
Tests in the operational stage are final and it may take 10-15 days to complete these, he explained. The report of the final test would be submitted to the regulator (AERB) to get clearance for commercial operations. The nuclear power project is operational with commissioning clearance from the AERB and it is expected to obtain clearance to go commercial in a couple of months since the final test reports are submitted.
Reacting to the statements of anti-KKNPP activists that the plant cannot go commercial unless the liability issue is settled, Mr Sundar said this would not be an obstacle to the first two reactors of the KKNPP that were installed much before Parliament approved the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act in 2010.
With regard to Tamil Nadu’s share from the power generated from KKNPP, the site director said NPCIL has received an order from the Union ministry of power to allocate 54 per cent of the power generated from the first unit of the KKNPP.
He, however, added that he was unaware of the Gadgil formula of power sharing, as per which Tamil Nadu was expected to get 46.25 per cent which has been increased by special allocation of 100 MW. “This order was issued during the final days of the last government,” he said.
The Centre has allotted additional power from the unallocated 15 per cent, said a Tangedco official, who said allocation for the other three statesKarnataka, Kerala and Puducherry from KKNPP, won’t be changed. As per the Gadgil formula of power sharing, Karnataka will get 22.1 per cent from Kudankulam nuclear power plant, Kerala, 13.3 per cent and Puducherry, 3.35 per cent.
