Putin, Modi speak at joint nuclear project event
August 10, 2016, 11:34 am

File photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi [Image: PPIO]

Modi praised Russia-India ties at the event on Wednesday that commemorated the final handover of the plant’s first unit.

“I have always deeply valued our friendship with Russia and it is fitting that we jointly dedicate Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1,” Modi said.

Kudankulam 1 also signals our joint commitment to build pathways of partnership for green growth: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 10, 2016

The first power unit in Kudankulam started generating electricity in 2013. It produces around 1,000 mw of power.

Unit 2 at Kudankulam had attained criticality on July 10 and is planned to be connected to the grid in August. Work is underway on the 3rd and 4th units as well.

“Putting into the designed capacity of the first – and in the near future, the second – unit will significantly enhance India’s energy supply and strengthen its economic position,” Putin said on Wednesday via video conferencing.

Nuclear energy cooperation is a key component of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India, Putin added.

The Russian-built plant has been dogged by opposition for a quarter of a century.

The reactors at Kudankulam – India’s largest – are being built jointly by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India and a subsidiary of Russia’s nuclear regulatory body Rosatom.

As part of India-Russia nuclear cooperation, Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom is scheduled to construct six units of VVER-1000 light-water reactors at Kudankulam.

In December 2014, both sides announced a decision for the construction of at least 12 more units in India.

TBP