Russia Ships Nuclear Fuel to India for Kudankulam Plant
Russia has commenced the delivery of nuclear fuel to India for the third unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The initial shipment of VVER-1000 fuel assemblies arrived via cargo flight from the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant in Siberia.
Fuel Supply Agreement
Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation, announced that a total of seven flights are planned to deliver the complete reactor core, along with reserve fuel. These shipments are part of a contract signed in 2024. This contract ensures fuel supply for Kudankulam's third and fourth VVER-1000 reactors throughout their operational lifespan, starting with the initial fuel loading.
Improved Performance with New Fuel
Since 2022, India's existing Kudankulam units 1 and 2 have been using newer TVS-2M fuel. According to the Russian side, this upgrade has led to improved performance and extended operating cycles of 18 months.
Kudankulam Expansion
Units 3 and 4 at Kudankulam will be the first VVER-1000 reactors to operate directly on an 18-month cycle from the start. The Kudankulam plant currently has two operational units, with four more (units 3, 4, 5, and 6) under construction. All six units will utilize VVER-1000 reactors, contributing to a total installed capacity of 6,000 MW.
Kudankulam's History
The first two reactors at Kudankulam were connected to India's power grid in 2013 and 2016, respectively. Collaborative efforts between Russian and Indian engineers have focused on enhancing the efficiency of these reactors through advanced nuclear fuel and extended fuel cycles.
India's Nuclear Energy Landscape
India currently operates 21 reactor units with a combined capacity of approximately 7.5 GW. These reactors provide about 3.5% of the country's electricity. Five large-scale reactors are currently under construction, aiming to increase India's nuclear energy capacity.
