The unit was once again shut down on June 23 for annual maintenance.
A file picture of the Kudankulam nuclear reactors. (Photo: DC)
TIRUNELVELI: From faraway Moscow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tête-à-tête with the Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have had a positive rub-off effect at the Kudankulam nuclear power station near here which has been built with Russian assistance.
The first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power project (KKNPP-I) that is under maintenance and was shut down for about six months is expected to resume generation by mid-January, according to site director R S Sundar, who added that the containment leakage test at the first unit is to commence this week.
Attaining commercial generation on December 31 last year, the 1000 mwe first unit of KKNPP—the first of its kind in size and technology, was shut down due to a major snag in the switchyard on January 14, 2015 and was to resume operation after three weeks.
Later on May 9 this year, the reactor tripped due to a problem in the steam generator level control, after power generation resuming in a week. The unit was once again shut down on June 23 for annual maintenance.
Scheduled to restart after 60 days, the unit is still under suspension with the authorities postponing the recommencement date. Speaking to DC on Friday, R S Sundar said that the unit is expected to resume generation most probably by mid-January 2016.
“Before resumption we have to take up the containment leakage test that we plan to take up this week,” said Mr Sundar, who added that the delay was primarily due to the stringent safety norms set for Russian technology. He also said that the refueling process was successfully completed and the reactor was boxed up.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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