Chennai, Oct 25 (NationPress) In a pivotal step towards speeding up the commissioning of new reactors at Kudankulam, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has sanctioned the allocation of 50 megawatts (MW) of unallocated power from Unit 1 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) to facilitate start-up and commissioning activities for Units 3 and 4.

As per the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC), this revised allocation took effect from midnight on October 19, 2025, and will remain in force until further notice.

This approval is a direct response to a request made by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), which is overseeing the construction of the twin 1,000 MW Light Water Reactors (LWRs) at the Kudankulam site located in Tirunelveli district.

According to an order from the Union Ministry of Power dated September 2, 2024, NPCIL has been authorized to draw up to 50 MW from Units 1 and 2 exclusively for start-up purposes, adhering to the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) Regulations, 2023.

This arrangement necessitates that Units 3 and 4 be registered as beneficiaries of Unit 1, with the Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre (SRLDC) overseeing the scheduling and accounting of the drawal. NPCIL has informed the SRPC that commissioning work is advancing steadily, with the 63 MVA Common Station Auxiliary Transformer (CSAT) already energized to supply auxiliary power to the site.

Officials noted that the initial power draw will be kept minimal during the stabilization phase, gradually increasing as testing and system checks intensify.

The Ministry of Power has further directed NPCIL to explore alternative power arrangements through the Tamil Nadu transmission network to accommodate any additional start-up needs exceeding 50 MW or during any potential outage at Unit 1.

NPCIL anticipates that peak start-up demand will escalate to 60 MW in December 2025 and 65 MW by January 2026. As of August 2025, the overall construction progress of Units 3 and 4 has reached 78 percent.

Unit 3 has achieved significant milestones, including the concreting of the inner and outer containment domes and the welding of the main coolant pipeline, while Unit 4 has completed the installation of its Nuclear Steam Supply System.

Currently, Units 1 and 2 together generate 1,125 MW of electricity for Tamil Nadu. The state has requested full allocation of the 2,000 MW expected from Units 3 and 4, although the Centre has indicated that a decision will be made at a later date.