New Delhi, April 28 (ANI): The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant’s Unit-3 has moved closer to commissioning with the initiation of “Spillage to Open Reactor,” a key step in preparing reactor systems for operation, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) said.
In a statement, NPCIL described the development as a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of energy security and sustainability. The process began on April 25, 2026.
“Spillage to Open Reactor” involves using water to flush and clean the reactor’s coolant systems and pipelines, ensuring the required level of cleanliness for safe operation and advanced commissioning stages.
NPCIL said the activity marks the beginning of individual functional testing of primary system equipment, bringing Unit-3 closer to becoming operational.
The milestone was inaugurated by NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director B.C. Pathak in the presence of Mikhail Novikov of Atomstroyexport, highlighting ongoing India-Russia cooperation in the nuclear sector.
Located in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, the Kudankulam project is a key component of India’s clean energy strategy.
NPCIL said Units 1 and 2 have already generated more than 121 billion units of electricity, helping prevent nearly 104 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Once all six units are completed, the plant will have a total installed capacity of 6,000 megawatts.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and environmental responsibility.
India’s civil nuclear partnership with Russia continues to play a central role in expanding the country’s nuclear capacity.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted Russia’s contribution to India’s nuclear program, describing Kudankulam as a “stellar example” of bilateral cooperation. He said India aims to increase its nuclear power generation capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047.
The issue was also discussed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December, where both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy, including fuel cycles, localization, and joint manufacturing.
Putin described Kudankulam as a flagship project, noting that two of the six planned reactor units are already connected to the power grid, while four remain under construction.
India and Russia also agreed to accelerate discussions on establishing a second nuclear power plant site in India and to expand collaboration in the peaceful use of atomic energy.
India has also made progress in indigenous nuclear technology. Recently, the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu achieved “first criticality,” marking the start of a self-sustaining nuclear reaction.
In his “Mann Ki Baat” address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the achievement a historic milestone in India’s nuclear energy journey, emphasizing that the reactor was built using entirely indigenous technology.
India’s nuclear sector continues to expand as part of its long-term strategy to enhance energy security and transition toward cleaner energy sources. (ANI)
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