(MENAFN- KNN India) Chennai, Oct 28 (KNN) In a move to expedite the commissioning of new reactors at Kudankulam, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has approved the allocation of 50 megawatts (MW) of unallocated power from Unit 1 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) to support start-up and commissioning activities for Units 3 and 4.

According to the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC), the revised allocation came into effect from midnight on October 19, 2025, and will remain in force until further notice.

The approval follows a request from the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), which is constructing the twin 1,000 MW Light Water Reactors (LWRs) at the Kudankulam site in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district, ET reported.

Under the Union Ministry of Power's order dated September 2, 2024, NPCIL is permitted to draw up to 50 MW from Units 1 and 2 specifically for start-up purposes, in accordance with the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) Regulations, 2023.

As part of the arrangement, Units 3 and 4 have been registered as beneficiaries of Unit 1, with the Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre (SRLDC) overseeing scheduling and accounting of the drawal.

NPCIL informed the SRPC that commissioning activities are progressing steadily, with the 63 MVA Common Station Auxiliary Transformer (CSAT) already energised to provide auxiliary power to the site.

Officials said initial power draw will remain minimal during the stabilisation phase, and gradually increase as testing and system checks intensify.

The Ministry of Power has directed NPCIL to explore alternate supply arrangements through the Tamil Nadu transmission network to meet any start-up power requirements exceeding 50 MW or in case of an outage at Unit 1.

NPCIL has projected peak start-up demand to rise to about 60 MW in December 2025 and 65 MW by January 2026.

As of August 2025, construction progress at Units 3 and 4 had reached around 78 percent.

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

At present, Units 1 and 2 together supply 1,125 MW of power to Tamil Nadu.

The state government has sought full allocation of the 2,000 MW to be generated by Units 3 and 4, though the Centre has indicated that a final decision will be taken at a later stage.

(KNN Bureau)

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