BHEL secures Kudankulam contract
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The Russian-designed AES-92 VVER reactors are being built with Russian technical assistance as the first stage of phase 2 at the site in Tamil Nadu, which is already home to two operating AES-92 units. BHEL performed a similar role at Kudankulam 1 and 2, which the company says "showcased" its capability in installing equipment designed and supplied by other manufacturers. The turbines for the first two Kudankulam units were made by Silmash in St Petersburg.
Twelve out of India's 18 operating pressurised heavy water reactors have steam turbine generator sets supplied by BHEL, the company said. It is also currently executing turbine generator packages for four 700 MWe Indian-designed PHWR units that are currently under construction, two each at Kakrapar and Rawatbhata (Rajasthan). "BHEL has dedicated infrastructure and skilled manpower to address the special design, manufacturing and testing requirements complying with international codes and standards for various components/equipment of nuclear power plants," BHEL said.
Construction of Kudankulam 3 formally began in June 2017 with unit 4 following in October that year. The units are scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Kudankulam 1 and 2, also AES-92 units supplied by Rosatom subsidiary Atomstroyexport, were built by NPCIL and commissioned and operated by NPCIL under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. Kudankulam 1 entered commercial operation in December 2014 and unit 2 in April 2017.
