Unit 3 of Kaiga Atomic Power Project synchronised with grid

Mumbai, Apr 16 (UNI) The 220 MWe unit-3 of Kaiga Atomic Power Project has been successfully synchronised with the Southern grid and has been producing power continuously at 75 MWe.

The unit was synchronised with the Southern grid on April 14. It was first synchronised on April 11, after due authorisation from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and subsequently shutdown for conducting certain tests, an official statement here today said.

Presently mandatory tests are being carried out. During this period, the power of the unit will need to be varied, and the unit may even be required to shutdown. The power of the unit will subsequently be increased to full power after successful completion of all tests.

The Kaiga site, in Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka, comprises four units each of 220 MWe belonging to Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) family. Units 1 and 2 are in operation since the year 2000, while Unit-4 is at an advanced stage of construction. Unit-3 and 4 are being set up adjacent to unit-1 &2. The PHWRs use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water both as moderator and coolant.

The site is unique among all the Nuclear Plants in India for having an annual rainfall of about 4,000 mm, which needs special arrangement and planning for continuous construction. The first pour of concrete, marking the zero date of construction, was held on March 30, 2002. The criticality was achieved in less than 5 years period, which is comparable with the international benchmarks.

It is the 17th nuclear power unit of NPCIL and the total installed nuclear power capacity will be increased from 3,900 MWe to 4120 MWe, when the unit commences commercial production of electricity after completion of the mandatory tests.

Five more units (2x1000 MWe PWRs and 3x220 MWe PHWRs) are under construction in different parts of the country and are expected to be connected to the grid sequentially within the next two years, the statement added.

UNI