First 1,000 MW unit at Koodankulam almost complete: NPCIL

MUMBAI: Allaying fears of further delay, state-run Nuclear Power Corp of India said construction of the first 1,000 MW unit at Koodankulam is almost complete.

The second 1,000 MW unit is, however, 6-8 months behind schedule, Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd (NPCIL) Chairman and Managing Director S K Jain said.

The company is in the process of setting up two 1,000 MW units of light water reactor-based nuclear power plants with Russian collaboration at Koodankulam, near Tirunelveli in southern Tamil Nadu.

India has sourced the technology, equipment and uranium from Russia for the project worth Rs 13,000 crore, which was mainly delayed due to late equipment supplies.
"As far as the Koodankulam project is concerned, construction of the first unit is almost complete. The commissioning has started. The electrical systems, the water systems have been commissioned," Jain told reporters on the sidelines of a conference.

He said that 'cold commissioning' of the first unit is expected to start some time in July following which the reactor would be fully inspected again to prepare for the next stage called 'hot commissioning'.

"Fuel loading is expected to take place by end of this year or early next year. As for the second unit, it is 6-8 months behind that," Jain added.

NPCIL Director (Finance) J K Ghai said that even though it "has been significantly delayed, the project cost has not increased".

The state-run utility plans to raise about Rs 3,000 crore this fiscal for early completion of its plants in Kudankulam, Kaiga (Karnataka) and in Rajasthan.

"The tariff (of the electricity generated from Koodankulam) will be less than 2.50 paise," Jain said.

On its website, NPCIL has stated August 2009 as the scheduled date of commercial operation of its first unit, while the second unit is expected to commence operations in May next year.

Jain said they are in talks with four global players -- General Electric, Westinghouse Electric Company, Areva and Rosatom -- for sourcing nuclear reactors.
The state-run utility has a surplus of Rs 12,000 crore, including cash reserves, Jain said. He said the company has enough cash for the next 2-3 year.