India and Russia ink ‘key’ pacts related to Kudankulam nuclear power plant

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Nuclear Technology

Context:

In a major boost to their time tested partnership, India and Russia signed some “very important” agreements related to the construction of the future power generating units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant:

India’s largest nuclear power plant is located in Tamil Nadu.
Construction commenced in March 2002 with technical assistance from Russia.
The first power unit has been operational since February 2016, operating at a capacity of 1,000 MW.
Full operational capacity expected by 2027, according to Russian state media.

What is the Status of Nuclear Energy in India?

Nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity in India, contributing about 2% of the country’s total electricity generation.
India currently has over 22 nuclear reactors in 7 power plants across the country, which together produce 6,780 MW of nuclear power.
Of these reactors, 18 are Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and 4 are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
In January 2021, the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3), India’s first 700 MWe unit and the biggest indigenously developed variant of the PHWR, was connected to the grid.
The Indian government has allowed joint ventures between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to enhance India’s nuclear program.
NPCIL is now in joint ventures with the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
The government is promoting the expansion of nuclear installations to other parts of the country. For example, an upcoming nuclear power plant in Gorakhpur town in Haryana will become operational in the near future.
India is also working on an entirely indigenous thorium-based nuclear plant, “Bhavni,” which will be the first of its kind using Uranium-233. The experimental thorium plant “Kamini” already exists in Kalpakkam.