AERB clears papers for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
12 July 2013 5:34 AM IST
The much-delayed Kudankulam nuclear power plant today crossed a major hurdle with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granting clearance for the ‘first approach to criticality’ for its 1000MW first unit.
‘AERB has granted clearance for the first approach to criticality (FAC) of unit 1 of Kudankulam nuclear power project as the next major stage of commissioning,’ a statement issued by the atomic energy regulator said. The FAC is the commencement of the controlled nuclear fission process for the first time, and is a step towards the subsequent beginning of power production in a nuclear reactor, the AERB said.
‘The clearance given for FAC is the culmination of in-depth review of all associated safety aspects, commissioning results, corrective measures of the identified non-conformances and submissions regarding fulfillment of various regulatory requirements,’ AERB said.
The regulator had said it would grant clearance for the FAC only after ensuring that Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL) has adhered to all the safety measures incorporated in the plant.
The board had last September granted the final permission for initial fuel loading (IFL) in the first unit. Subsequent to this, further review was carried out by the specialist groups and the advisory committee for project safety review of AERB, it said.
On 6 May, the Supreme Court had given its go ahead for the commissioning the first 1,000 MW plant being built in southern Tamil Nadu by Russia using pressurised water technique, which is the first of its kind in the country. The apex court had said its nod was contingent on the government ensuring utmost safety and security requirements at the plant. The court ruled in favour of running the plant while disposing of a clutch of petitions by anti-nuclear activists as well as the local community citing safety issues and threat to their livelihood.
‘AERB has granted clearance for the first approach to criticality (FAC) of unit 1 of Kudankulam nuclear power project as the next major stage of commissioning,’ a statement issued by the atomic energy regulator said. The FAC is the commencement of the controlled nuclear fission process for the first time, and is a step towards the subsequent beginning of power production in a nuclear reactor, the AERB said.
‘The clearance given for FAC is the culmination of in-depth review of all associated safety aspects, commissioning results, corrective measures of the identified non-conformances and submissions regarding fulfillment of various regulatory requirements,’ AERB said.
The regulator had said it would grant clearance for the FAC only after ensuring that Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL) has adhered to all the safety measures incorporated in the plant.
The board had last September granted the final permission for initial fuel loading (IFL) in the first unit. Subsequent to this, further review was carried out by the specialist groups and the advisory committee for project safety review of AERB, it said.
On 6 May, the Supreme Court had given its go ahead for the commissioning the first 1,000 MW plant being built in southern Tamil Nadu by Russia using pressurised water technique, which is the first of its kind in the country. The apex court had said its nod was contingent on the government ensuring utmost safety and security requirements at the plant. The court ruled in favour of running the plant while disposing of a clutch of petitions by anti-nuclear activists as well as the local community citing safety issues and threat to their livelihood.
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