KUNDANKULAM NUCLEAR POWER PLANT (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Sci & Tech)

Context: India and Russia signed agreements related to the construction of the future power-generating units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

• Largest in India: KKNPP holds the distinction of being the largest nuclear power station in India.
• Location: Situated in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, construction commenced on March 31, 2002. However, it faced significant delays, primarily due to opposition from local fishermen.
• Collaboration and Capacity: KKNPP is a joint effort between Atomstroyexport, the Russian state company, and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). It is designed to house six VVER-1000 reactors with a total installed capacity of 6,000 MW of electricity.
• Commissioning and Stages: The first stage of KKNPP, comprising power units No. 1 and No. 2, was commissioned in 2013 and 2017, respectively. Power units No. 3, 4, and No. 5, 6 represent the second and third stages of the plant.
• Ongoing Construction: Currently, power units 3, 4, 5, and 6 are under construction, marking the continued expansion of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.