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AERB Nod Boosts Koodankulam Nuclear Project with Key Equipment Installation

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has granted permission for installation of major equipment at Units 5 and 6 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The approval allows NPCIL to erect critical components including reactor pressure vessel and steam generators. The regulatory clearance followed a detailed multi-tier safety review by AERB assessing design and construction progress. This move is expected to accelerate work on the twin units, which are part of India's long-term nuclear power expansion plan.

Key Points: AERB Approval for Koodankulam Units 5 & 6 Equipment

  • AERB permits installation of reactor pressure vessel, steam generators, coolant pumps
  • Approval follows multi-tier safety review by AERB
  • Units 5 and 6 are based on advanced VVER pressurised water reactor technology
  • Project is part of India's plan to enhance nuclear power generation capacity
2 min read

AERB nod for key equipment installation boosts Koodankulam project

AERB grants permission for installation of major equipment at Koodankulam Units 5 and 6, boosting India's nuclear power expansion programme.

"The latest approval indicates that the project has successfully met the prescribed safety and quality benchmarks - NPCIL official"

Chennai, May 2

In a major boost to India's nuclear power expansion programme, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has granted permission for the installation of major equipment at Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, officials said.

The approval allows the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to proceed with the erection of critical plant components, including the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators, coolant pumps and associated systems, marking the transition from civil construction to a crucial phase of plant development.

The regulatory clearance follows a detailed multi-tier safety review by AERB, which assessed the design of the units against its stringent safety requirements and evaluated the progress of civil construction carried out under the earlier "First Pour of Concrete" (FPC) permission granted in April 2021.

Officials said the latest approval indicates that the project has successfully met the prescribed safety and quality benchmarks, enabling the commencement of installation of key nuclear systems.

The move is expected to accelerate the pace of work on the twin units, which are part of India's long-term plan to enhance nuclear power generation capacity.

Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam project are based on advanced VVER pressurised water reactor (VVER) technology and incorporate several enhanced safety features in line with AERB's Safety Code for Light Water Reactor-based nuclear power plants. These include improved passive safety systems and advanced containment mechanisms aimed at ensuring high levels of operational reliability and accident resistance.

Located in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, the Kudankulam nuclear complex is being developed in technical collaboration with Russia. The site will house six pressurised water reactor units of 1,000 MW(e) capacity each, making it one of the largest nuclear power hubs in the country.

Units 1 and 2 have been operational since 2013 and 2015, respectively, supplying electricity to the southern grid, while Units 3 and 4 are in advanced stages of construction. Once all six units are commissioned, the project is expected to significantly strengthen India's clean energy capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While nuclear power is important for energy security, I hope the safety measures are truly world-class. The AERB clearance is a step in the right direction, but we must ensure transparent monitoring and public awareness, especially after past protests. Need local Tamil engineers involved too, not just Russian tech.
J
James A
Impressive progress. India's nuclear program is setting benchmarks in safety and scale. VVER technology with passive safety features sounds robust. This will be a game-changer for clean energy in the region. Looking forward to seeing all six units operational.
A
Aditya G
Koodankulam is a shining example of Indo-Russian cooperation! 6,000 MW from one site is phenomenal. But we should also ramp up our own indigenous reactors like the PHWRs to reduce technology dependence. Overall, a solid boost for net-zero goals. 🔋☢️
S
Suresh O
Finally some good news on the energy front! I remember the protest days—hope AERB continues to maintain strict oversight. These reactors generate massive power with minimal land use. Much better than drowning villages for hydro projects. Good move NPCIL.

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