Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, and Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, visited the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) construction site in Tamil Nadu. They reviewed the progress of units 3 to 6 construction, expressing satisfaction with units 1 and 2’s performance. Discussions included expediting units 3 to 6 construction and enhancing civil nuclear cooperation. They signed an amendment to the 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement on February 8.
Likhachev emphasized the deep-rooted strategic partnership between Russia and India in the nuclear field, dating back to the 1980s. Kudankulam NPP celebrated its 10th anniversary since connecting its first unit to India’s power grid, reflecting ongoing collaboration and optimistic prospects.
Kudankulam, situated near Tuticorin, houses two operational Russian VVER 1000 pressurized water reactors, operational since 2014 and 2017. Construction of four more VVER units is underway, with two more proposed. Rosatom subsidiary Atomstroyexport is the general contractor.
In December, Indian Minister of EA Jaishankar and Russia’s Deputy PM Denis Manturov signed agreements concerning Kudankulam and cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
India aims to increase its nuclear generating capacity from 7480 MWe to 22,800 MWe by 2031-32. Measures include constructing ten indigenous 700 MWe pressurized heavy water reactors, establishing the Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool, amending the Atomic Energy Act, and fostering international nuclear cooperation for fuel supply.
