Putin Reaffirms Full Support for Kudankulam Nuclear Expansion
Russian President says full-capacity operations will significantly boost India’s energy needs
- Putin says two of six Kudankulam reactors are operational; four under construction.
- Rosatom delivers first fuel consignment for the third reactor’s initial loading.
- Russia proposes cooperation on SMRs, floating nuclear plants and non-energy applications.
- Assures uninterrupted supply of oil, gas and coal to India.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th Dec: Russia is working closely with India on the development of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s largest civilian nuclear facility, President Vladimir Putin said during a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday.
Putin stated that two out of six VVER-1000 reactors at the Tamil Nadu facility are already feeding power into the grid, while four more remain under construction. “We’re conducting a flagship project to build the largest Indian nuclear power plant, Kudankulam. Two out of six reactor units have already been connected to the energy network, and four are still under construction. Getting this nuclear power plant to full power output will make an impressive contribution to the energy requirements of India,” he said.
His remarks followed confirmation from Rosatom, Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation, that it has delivered the first batch of nuclear fuel for the initial loading of the third reactor. The fuel assemblies, manufactured at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, arrived on a cargo flight earlier in the day. The full delivery will require seven flights under a 2024 long-term fuel supply contract covering reactors three and four.
During his two-day visit, the Russian President and PM Modi discussed strengthening cooperation in the broader energy sector. Putin said the two countries could explore construction of small modular reactors (SMRs), floating nuclear power plants and non-energy nuclear technologies such as those used in medicine and agriculture.
Highlighting Russia’s role as a key energy supplier, Putin added that Moscow remains a reliable source of oil, gas, coal and fuel needed to support India’s rapidly expanding economy.
The Kudankulam plant, located near India’s southern tip, will have six reactors with a total capacity of 6,000 MW once completed. The first reactor was connected to the grid in 2013, followed by the second in 2016. The remaining units are at various stages of construction as India continues to expand its nuclear energy footprint with Russian partnership.
