The two reactors of the Koodankulam nuclear power plant, which has been delayed for years attained first criticalitymidnight Saturday, paving the way for power production, paving the way for power production in the nuclear reactor. First Approach to Criticality (FAC) is the beginning of a controlled nuclear fission process. In the first stage, the plant will be synchronized with the Southern Grid with about 400 mw power expected within 30-45 days of attaining first criticality, said RS Sundar, site director at the KNPP.
In the next phase, the generation will be increased in stages to generate 1,000 mw. "In the subsequent stages, after completing procedural and regulatory requirements, power will be increased in steps of 50 per cent, 75 per cent, 90 per cent and 100 per cent," he added. The process of achieving first criticality was started at 11.49 pm Thursday after the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board cleared it after an in-depth review. A team comprising of the AERB, Nuclear Power Corporation of India and Russian specialists are supervising the process.
Other than the first unit, there are three more nuclear projects under construction. The second unit of KNPP will produce another 1,000 megawatts power, while Kakrapar atomic power project 3 and 4 and Rajasthan atomic power project 7 and 8 will produce 1,400 megawatts each.
