Kudankulam first unit resumes, stops

TIRUNELVELI: Power generation resumed after seven months of shut down at the first unit of the Kudankulam nuclear power project (KKNPP) near here on Saturday, only to stop production some eight hours later in the evening.

 While the 1000 MW first unit of KKNPP, kept under suspension for about seven months since June 23 last year for maintenance and refueling, came back on stream after it had attained criticality around 4.20 pm on January 21, electricity generation resumed at the first unit at 7.12 am on Saturday, according to KKNPP site director RS Sundar.

The first unit started generating 60 MW initially on Saturday morning and gradually increased to 300 MW in the afternoon. However, this was again brought down gradually and stopped after eight hours of continuous running of the turbine generator around 4 pm, when the power generation level was around 115 MW, Mr Sundar said.

The site director, however, hastened to add that the suspension of the turbine generator in the evening was done as per the regulatory norms. After some minor tests of the steam valves and generators, power generation would resume again on Sunday to run continuously, he hoped.

If power generation picks up at the first unit, Tamil Nadu will get an additional 562 MW to meet its power demand this coming summer.