Nuclear fuel loading over in KKNPP unit 2, tests in progress

Fuel loading has been completed in the 1,000 MW second unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu and the mandatory tests were in progress, a top official said today.
"KKNPP Unit 2 nuclear fuel loading has been completed and the required mandatory tests are in progress, prior to first approach to criticality," KKNPP Site Director R S Sundar said.
In tune with safety practices, "steam relief devices testing would be taken up now," he said.
The loading of the enriched uranium in the reactor of the second unit of the Indo-Russian joint venture project was taken up last month.

During the test, ambient noise level may marginally go up due to steam release to the atmosphere, whenever the safety valves open as part of the testing, he said in a release.
"Testing will be carried out during day time only," he said, adding the first unit which recommenced its operations from February 22 this year, has generated 950.91 crore units till today and it has been operating at its fully capacity of 1,000 MW.
The steam relief test conducted prior to the commissioning of the first unit had triggered panic among the locals in the area due to the higher ambient noise level.