India Receives First Shipment of Nuclear Fuel from Russia for Kudankulam Expansion
India has taken a significant step forward in its nuclear energy program with the arrival of the first batch of fuel assemblies from Russia for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, marking a deepening of energy cooperation between the two nations. The shipment, consisting of VVER-1000 fuel, arrived on Thursday via a cargo flight from the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant in southwestern Siberia, according to a statement released by Rosatom, the Russian state atomic energy corporation.
A total of seven flights are scheduled to deliver the complete reactor core and reserve fuel, all under the terms of a contract signed earlier in 2024. This agreement ensures fuel supply for the third and fourth VVER-1000 reactors at Kudankulam throughout their operational lifespan, beginning with their initial loading.
Since 2022, India’s existing Kudankulam units – unit-1 and unit-2 – have been utilizing the more advanced TVS-2M fuel, resulting in “improved performance” and extended 18-month operating cycles, Rosatom reported. The Kudankulam units 3 and 4 are poised to become the first VVER-1000 reactors in India to operate directly on this 18-month cycle, enhancing efficiency and power output.
Currently, the Kudankulam plant features two operational reactors, with an additional four – units 3, 4, 5, and 6 – under construction. Once completed, all six reactors will boast a combined installed capacity of 6,000 MW, significantly contributing to India’s energy security. The first two reactors were connected to India’s power grid in 2013 and 2016, respectively. Throughout their operation, collaborative efforts between Russian and Indian engineers have focused on optimizing performance through the implementation of advanced nuclear fuel and extended fuel cycles.
India currently operates 21 reactor units with a total capacity of approximately 7.5 GW, providing roughly 3.5% of the country’s overall electricity generation. An additional five large-scale reactors are currently under construction, signaling India’s commitment to expanding its nuclear energy infrastructure.
