Modi, Putin dedicate 1st unit of Kudankulam N-power plant to nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin jointly inaugurated the first unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project`s (KKNPP) on 10th August.  The nuclear power plant located in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu has been in service since 2014 and generates a total of 1,000 MW of power.
India and Russia are cooperating in the field of nuclear energy for many years. The reactors at Kudankulam are being built by the NPCIL and Russia`s Atomstroyexport company, a subsidiary of Rosatom – the regulatory body of the Russian nuclear complex.
Speaking on the occasion through video conferencing from New Delhi, Modi said, “It is perhaps not commonly known that at 1,000 MW, Kundankulum 1 is the largest single unit of electrical power in India.  In years ahead, we are determined to pursue an ambitious agenda of nuclear power generation.”
He also informed, “At Kudankulum alone, five more units of 1,000 MW each are planned. In our journey of cooperation, we plan to build a series of bigger nuclear power units.”
Commenting on the occasion, Russian President Putin said, “The commissioning of the Unit 1 of KKNPP as well as the Unit 2 in the near future will raise the energy security and supply to India and enhance its economic stance. The development of such a fast-growing and enormous economy like India is not possible without the nuclear energy.”
“We have huge plans with Indian friends in this area,” Putin added. He informed, “The work at the Unit 3 and 4 have commenced in February this year. We also hope to sign this year the General Framework Agreement for setting up of Unit 5 and 6 of Kudankulam NPP by the end of this year.”
President of ASE Group of Companies, the Engineering and Construction Division of Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Vladimir Limarenko said, “The first ever Russian-designed nuclear power unit jointly constructed in India fully meets all state-of-the-art safety requirements and demonstrates steady operation. Its actual performance has surpassed the design expectations.”