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India's nuclear regulator Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has granted licence for regular operation of the Kudankulam nuclear plant unit 1 (1,000 MW), currently operated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) in Tamil Nadu. Besides, AERB has also issued consent for siting of four more indigenous 700 MW each of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) units.
AERB in its release said the safety review of Kudankulam's VVER (Russian origin) pressurized water reactors (PWRs) has confirmed that they satisfied the requirements specified by it and the current international safety standards. AERB's reviews had included checks to ensure that quality assurance norms have been followed and the commissioned systems meet the acceptance criteria for safe operation.
NPCIL was earlier allowed to raise reactor power at the Kudankulam plant in steps for completing the specified commissioning tests and to synchronise the unit with the southern grid at various power level up to 100% full power.
The construction of unit 2 of 1,000 MW is complete and it is currently undergoing initial commissioning activities.
Further, AERB said it has granted siting clearance for the Gorakhpur Harayana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana's unit 1 and 4 based on extensive multi tier safety review of the application and supporting documents submitted by the NPCIL. The reviews of site evacuation off the project were conducted in accordance with the AERB's latest safety code, which included review of assessment of radiological impact of the plant.
According to AERB, the union ministry of environment and forests had earlier issued the environmental clearance for the project in December 2013.
