Russia's state-run nuclear corporation ROSATOM has delivered the first consignment of nuclear fuel for the initial loading of the third reactor at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.​

Russia has initiated the first delivery of nuclear fuel for the third unit at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant step in India-Russia energy cooperation.

This consignment, transported via a special cargo flight from Russia's Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, comprises advanced VVER-1000 fuel assemblies designed for enhanced performance.

The shipment aligns with a 2024 contract ensuring lifetime fuel supply for units 3 and 4, underscoring Moscow's steadfast commitment despite international pressures.​​

A total of seven flights are scheduled to deliver the complete reactor core and reserve fuel, keeping the project on track for commissioning in 2026-27. The new TVS-2M fuel, introduced since 2022 in Kudankulam's operational units 1 and 2, enables 18-month operating cycles, reducing downtime and boosting electricity output. Units 3 and 4 will be the first VVER-1000 reactors worldwide to launch directly on this extended cycle, reflecting successful joint engineering by Russian and Indian teams.​​

Kudankulam, India's largest nuclear facility, features six VVER-1000 reactors with a combined capacity of 6,000 MW. Units 1 and 2, grid-connected in 2013 and 2016 respectively, already supply 2,000 MW to southern India, with efficiency gains from prior fuel upgrades. Units 5 and 6 remain under construction, positioning the site as a cornerstone of India's nuclear expansion.

The delivery coincided precisely with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in New Delhi for a two-day bilateral visit, underscoring the robust momentum in India-Russia civil nuclear cooperation.​

Six more flights are scheduled from Russia to supply the complete reactor core for Unit 3, along with reserve fuel stocks.​

These shipments fall under a 2024 contract that secures fuel provision for the third and fourth VVER-1000 reactors throughout their operational lifespan, commencing with this initial phase.​

Kudankulam, India’s largest nuclear power complex, will ultimately feature six VVER-1000 reactors with a combined capacity of 6,000 MW once fully operational.​

The first two units were synchronised with the national grid in 2013 and 2016, respectively, while the remaining four, including Units 3 and 4, remain under construction.​

Russian and Indian engineers have enhanced the efficiency of these initial reactors by adopting advanced nuclear fuel designs and extending fuel cycles from 12 to 18 months.​

This upgrade, incorporating TVS-2M fuel since 2022, features a rigid structure, advanced anti-debris filters, and higher uranium mass, enabling fewer refuelling stops and greater electricity generation.​

Units 3 and 4 at Kudankulam mark the first VVER-1000 reactors worldwide to launch with an 18-month fuel cycle, drawing on proven solutions from similar plants in Russia and China.​

The project exemplifies enduring Indo-Russian partnership in nuclear energy, vital for India’s expanding clean power needs amid global energy transitions.​

The fuel supply advances India's nuclear capacity while deepening strategic Indo-Russian partnerships in atomic energy, vital for energy security in a geopolitically tense landscape. Russian-Indian engineers' prior innovations at units 1 and 2 pave the way for sustained high performance across the complex. This milestone reinforces long-term bilateral commitments in civil nuclear technology.​​

Based On TOI Report