AERB gives go-ahead for initial fuel loading at Kudankulam nuclear plant
11 Aug 2012
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has given its nod for the 'initial fuel loading' (IFL) and 'first approach to criticality' (FAC) of unit – I of the Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu.
According to the regulator, the application by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and reports of related safety committees were reviewed by the AERB earlier in the week.
''The activities of IFL and FAC will be carried out under the supervision of AERB officials, who will ensure all safety measures to be in place and also verify the compliance to AERB approved procedures,'' the board said in a release.
The first two units of the Kudankulam power project are Russian-designed light water reactors, each with a capacity of 1,000 MWe.
The AERB's clearance will enable NPCIL to load fresh fuel assemblies into the reactor core and conduct FAC, enabling commencement of the controlled nuclear fission process for the first time in unit I.
According to the AERB, the Kudankulam plant has several advanced safety features including those for ensuring safety against external events of natural origin – which apparently means a tsunamis and earthqukes – and for management of design basis as well as beyond design basis accidents.
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