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First connection to grid of Kudankulam NPP successful

India plans to build by 2017 a total of 19 nuclear power units with the total capacity of 17.4 thousand megawatts

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

NEW DELHI, October 22 (Itar-Tass) - The first connection to the power grid of the main subject of Russian-Indian nuclear energy cooperation - Kudankulam nuclear power plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu has been successful, a source close to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India told Itar-Tass.

“In accordance with the approved program of commissioning of the first power unit of the Kudankulam NPP, at 02:45, local time (21:15 GMT), its first connection to the grid was carried out successfully,” he said. “The maximum power output will reach 30%. Next there will be gradual capacity increase with the corresponding tests. The works are carried out under strict supervision of the Indian regulatory authority.”

India plans to build by 2017 a total of 19 nuclear power units with the total capacity of 17.4 thousand megawatts, eight of which will be built with the participation of other countries. In particular, it plans to build with Russia’s technical assistance the third and fourth power units at the Kudankulam NPP with the capacity of 1,000 megawatts each. The start-up of the first unit of the Kudankulam NPP is to be carried out in the near future; the construction of the second power unit is almost completed. The plant will supply electricity not only to the Tamil Nadu state, but also to the entire south India.

In 2010, Russia and India signed a roadmap, which envisages serial construction in India of 14-16 NPP power units under Russian projects.

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