New reactors at Kudankulam to see up to 20% indigenisation: R S Sundar

Interview with KNPP's Site Director

The controversy-ridden Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) is finally bracing up for grid connectivity by August- end following its Unit I achieving the criticality, some two weeks ago. With the grid connectivity now almost nearing reality, the stage has also been set to add two more reactors with a capacity of 2,000 MWe. Interestingly the next phase of expansion will see up to 20% of indigenisation, as compared to zero in the case of first two reactors.

 

Sitting in his office, at a distance of 200 meters from the reactors, KNPP’s Site Director R S Sundar spoke to T E Narasimhan about reasons for delay in commissioning of the plant (it was supposed to go on stream in September 2007), the learning experience and the way forward including setting up four more reactors with a capacity of 4000 MW. Excerpts

 

It has been almost two weeks since the Unit I achieved criticality. How has been progress so far and when it will be connected to the grid?

After obtaining AERB’s approval and Supreme Court’s direction, we started the criticality process on July 11th and on July 13th at 2305 hours the first unit achieved criticality.

 

We could achieve this without any difficulty and we worked really hard to achieve this. Unit 1 criticality went exactly by the book. Atomic Energy chairman and our chairman were here giving us moral support.

 

After this criticality, we are already in the process of doing physics experiments and testing. This is in process and we expect to produce power in 30-45 days. To start with, we will produce 300 MW of power and then we will go stage-wise of 500 MW, then 750, then 900 and then 1,000. By October or November we will reach 1,000 MW.

 

Being the 1st unit, we need to do a check and submit review process. The Russian teams are here to help us in commissioning and errecting the process. Unit 3 and 4 are in the advanced negotiation stages with Russian federation. We hope to construction soon on this . We have got separate power corridor for power evacuation. Whatever 2,000 MW we will generate from here, there are 4 separate transmission lines going from Kudankulam to sub station in Tirunelveli, These lines are exclusively designed and nowhere will disturb wind energy production.

 

How much will Tamil Nadu get from this project?
 

From the initial production, 400 MW will go to Tamil Nadu, of the total 2,000 MW, (from the Unit I & II) 925 MW will be for Tamil Nadu.

 

A lot of numbers are floating on the project cost. Can you tell us the exact project cost for the two units? Also, what will be the selling rate and will it be enough for the plant to break-even?

Initially, the project was estimated to be around Rs 13,171 crore, but it was increased to Rs 17,270 crore, due to delay, Rupee depreciation and other factors. The selling rate would be at Rs 3-3.5 per kilo watt. Break even is not a criteria, so not expecting high returns.

 

There are slew of myths floating about the plant, some of them relate to safety, about the components and others. The anti-KNPP campaigners’ have alleged that a number of facts had been hidden. What is your take on that?

This plant is very safe, there is no doubt about that. This was made clear and explained by NPCIL, KNPP, AERB, both Centre and State governments, experts and various leaders in different levels through media, public forum, campaigns and other modes.

Where we lacked was in communicating with the general public. For instance, during testing the device people panicked and were worried. Because of our ignorance we did not communicate with the public and it was conducted in hard hours. We have learnt some valuable lessons from this experience .

 

Common people are of the opinion that if the plant doesn't make noise or emit smoke, the authorities are not telling them the truth. The fact is that it is clean and good energy, so there will not be any noise or smoke. Only when you go near the equipment one can hear the noise.

 

Now, we regularly conduct awareness programmes and allow people to come to the plant on a regular basis. They are taken around the plant and explained the safety and procedure of generating clean energy. Interesting part is that a large number of women are showing interest in these programmes. In the last 1-1.5 years around 1.7 lakh people were reached through different programmes.

 

There are also other myths. People think it’s a turnkey project, which it is not. While the design and equipments are from Russia, the entire construction, equipment mechanical, electrical everything is done by our engineers.

 

In countries like China and Iran, almost 3,000-5,000 Russians worked or are working in nuclear plants, as compared to 100 Russians in KNPP. They offered us for turnkey, but we said no. Commissioning of KNPP has been done by Indian engineers.

 

People have also raised questions about Chinese parts and some of the components used in the reactors...for instance the valves. No component is defective inside the reactor. We have contingent quality issue procedures; all the components are certified and they are from Russian federation. Enough testing happens in Russia and India, by different agencies.

 

We had technical issues on the four valves, which underwent 400 cycles of tests. No deficiencies have been identified during testing, but on field, it did not behave as per our requirement. We analysed and addressed the issue.

 

People think that we did not reveal this. We thought since it’s a complex process it will be difficult for people to understand . Besides, at this time it would have also sent a wrong signal. It was not the intention to hide. We have been transparent all along during the process.

 

Considering Unit I & II are in the production stage, when the expansion plan will take off?

We want to install six reactors (including the two existing) at Kudankualm with a total capacity of 6,000 MW. Enough lands were acquired and environment clearance are also obtained.

 

Negotiations are now on between the two governments for Unit 3 &4. Hopefully, it will take off in an a year's time. It is difficult to predict the project as at the current rate to set up one MW, based on Nuclear, is around Rs 8 crore.

 

Having worked for many years now, can we expect the 3 & 4 units will see more indigenisation?

Definitely, in Unit 1 & 2, indigenisation rate was almost nil, in 3 & 4 it will be as high as 20% like electrical and conventional systems