India. Kudankulam NPP

India. Kudankulam NPP, Generating Units 1 and 2

Project description. In accordance with the cooperation agreement on construction of a nuclear power plant in India signed 1988 between the USSR and the Republic of India, the Russian Federation renders technical support to India in construction of two generating units of the Kudankulam NPP with VVER-1000 reactor units. It is planned to construct a total of 6 generating units at this NPP. In 2001 designing work was launched, in 2002 construction began.

After consolidation of NIAEP and ASE, execution of the Agreement on Construction of Kudankulam NPP Units 1 and 2 is performed by the Integrated Company on the Russian part and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) on the Indian part. The customer of the project is NPCIL.

The scope of responsibility of the Integrated Company within the project includes elaboration of project, start-up and maintenance documentation, supply of equipment and materials, rendering technical support during NPP construction, mounting and commissioning, as well as training of Indian staff.

2012 results. In 2012 construction of generating units 1 and 2 was carried out at the Kudankulam NPP. The work plan on construction of the generating units was completed 100 percent. Availability of generating unit 1 amounted to 100% and of generating unit 2 to 98%. Contribution of the reporting period to the project availability is 2 to 3%. The volume of work performed amounted to 51 million USD. The following results were achieved in the reporting period:

• Work on generating unit 1 in accordance with the 2nd revision program completed;
• Work on generating unit 1 in accordance with the reactor start-up program launched;
• Process systems of generating unit 2 washed and hydro-tested;
• Functional testing of equipment of generating unit 2 started.

2013 arrangements. The expected 2013 contribution to the level of project availability is 2 percent. The following types of operations are scheduled for 2013:

• Launch of generating unit 1 at minimum controllable power;
• Synchronization and first network connection of the unit 1 generator;
• 50, 75, and 100% power testing of generating unit 1;
• Operations on the program of hydraulic testing and circulation flushing on generating unit 2;
• Hot operational testing of generating unit 2; 
• Launch of operations within the reactor start-up program on generating unit 2.

Generating Units 3 and 4

Project description. Generating units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam NPP will be also designed on the basis of VVER-1000 platform. The scope of responsibility of the Integrated Company within this project includes designing, supply of equipment and delegation of specialists for technical support.

2012 results. In 2012 initial project work was carried out including adjustment of technical and commercial proposal and conclusion of general framework agreement with the project customer.

2013 arrangements. Designing of generating unit 3 is scheduled for 2013. The key activities scheduled for 2013 include:

• Final approval of the technical and commercial proposal for construction of Kudankulam NPP generating units 3 and 4;
• Conclusion of the General Framework Agreement.