Kundankulam Nuclear Plant likely to attain commercial production in 2 months.

The Unit I of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) is expected to go on commercial production in the next two months, according to a senior official from the plant.

KNPP's Site Director R S Sundar has said that the unit touched 1,000 MWe at 13.20 hours on 7 June 2014 and its in the final stage of testing, following which approval from AERB will be sought.

'So far 195 crore units produced from the plant and commercial production of the plant is expected in the next 1.5-2 months', Sundar told a local news channel.

'There was no tension as we have been operating the unit at 950 MW in the morning', he said. Preparations for carrying out the hydro-test - a crucial test before fueling the reactor- at the second unit is expected to start sometime next week.

It may be noted commissioning of the first stage of the the plant was originally scheduled for late 2011 was delayed by mass protests, by cross section of fishermen from the neighbouring village, that demanded its closure.

The plant will be operated at 1,000 MWe for a couple of days following which further tests technically called dynamic tests - would be conducted and the reports will be submitted to Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

He stated that the plant need to get permission to connect with the Southern Grid to carry out the dynamic tests as the power levels would be reduced during the testing period.

On the Unit II, he said, after hydro test and hot run filling of Uranium will be operational, all these are expected to be end of this year.

BS