Start-up and commissioning phase of unit 3 of India's Kudankulam NPP may begin in mid-2026

NIZHNY NOVGOROD. Aug 21 (Interfax) - The Rosatom state corporation is expecting start-up and commissioning of the unit 3 of India's Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant to begin in the middle of next year, Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev told journalists.

"The third unit in India is due to proceed to the start-up and commissioning phase in the middle of next year, while we are eyeing 2027 for the fourth unit," Likhachev said.

Russia has already built two power units with VVER-1000 reactors with combined capacity of 2000 MW at the Kudankulam NPP. The first and second power units went online in 2013 and 2017, respectively. India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board in summer 2017 issued the permit to pour the first concrete for the project's second stage that includes the third and fourth power units. The planned start of warranty operations of the power units was set initially for 2023-2024. The parties have also signed a general framework agreement to construct the fifth and sixth power units at the Kudankulam NPP as part of the project's third stage.

As reported, another large nuclear power plant may be built by Russian blueprints. Small-sized nuclear power plants have been discussed, as well.

Earlier, reactor physical start-up of the third unit in India and the NPP in Bangladesh were expected in 2024.