The first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant(KNPP) in Tamil Nadu was today synchronised with the southern power grid and generated 160 MW power, marking a major milestone in the controversy-hit Indo-Russian atomic power project.
"The synchronisation of Unit 1 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant was done at 2.45 AM," KNPP Site Director R S Sundar told PTI.
The first unit of KNPP reached power generation upto 160 MW, an official release said later in the day.
"The power will be further raised to 500 MWe, 750 MWe and 1000 MWe in stages. At every stage, various tests are conducted and the technical parameters are verified. Based on the results of the tests at each of the stages and with AERB clearances, subsequent stages are reached," it said.
The synchronisation coincided with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's three-day visit to Russia which ended today.
In a bid to overcome legal hitches that have held up a deal on two new units at KNPP in Tirunelveli district over liability provisions, Singh and President Vladimir Putin yesterday pledged to "resolve all outstanding issues" related to the project.
Russia is opposing the application of liability clauses under a new Indian law.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board had in August given its nod to increase power generation by 50 per cent up to 500 MW.
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is constructing two 1,000 MW units at KNPP jointly with Russia at Kudankulam, some 650 km from here.
The unit attained criticality on July 13 this year after much delay, following protests against the project by anti-nuclear activists in areas around the complex, citing safety reasons.
KNPP-1 is the 20th nuclear plant operated by NPCIL to be connected to country's power grid.
