Chennai – The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has cleared a plan to speed up the launching of two new reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. From midnight on Tuesday, October 19 2025, the CEA will allow a 50‑megawatt (MW) share of the unused power from Unit 1 to feed the start‑up and commissioning work for Units 3 and 4.
The Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC) said the change is effective right away and will stay in place until it is revised. NPCIL, the company that runs the Kudankulam plants, asked for the extra power as it works on the twin 1,000‑MW light‑water reactors at the site, which lies in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district.
Earlier, on September 2 2024, the Ministry of Power gave NPCIL permission to tap up to 50 MW from Units 1 and 2 for start‑up needs, in line with the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) Regulations, 2023. Under the new arrangement, Units 3 and 4 will be listed as beneficiaries of Unit 1. The Southern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (SRLDC) will schedule and keep track of the power draw.
NPCIL told the SRPC that work on the two reactors is on track. The 63‑MVA Common Station Auxiliary Transformer (CSAT) is already energised, supplying essential auxiliary power to the site. Officials expect the initial power draw to stay low during the stabilisation roll‑out, rising gradually as testing and system checks intensify.
The Ministry of Power also told NPCIL to look for alternative sources of power through the Tamil Nadu transmission network if demand goes beyond 50 MW or if Unit 1 goes offline. NPCIL projects peak start‑up demand at about 60 MW in December 2025 and 65 MW by January 2026.
As of August 2025, construction of Units 3 and 4 is 78 % complete. Unit 3 has finished major steps, including pouring the inner and outer containment domes and welding the main coolant pipe. Unit 4 has finished building its nuclear steam supply system.
Right now, Units 1 and 2 together generate 1,125 MW for Tamil Nadu. The state wants to tap the full 2,000 MW that Units 3 and 4 will produce, but the central government says a final decision will come later.
Source: ianslive
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