Kudankulam switched on

Sustained nuclear reaction achieved at controversial nuclear plant.

"Everything is progressing in a normal manner. The reactor is functioning well as per expectations," said RS Sundar, site director of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.

He noted that if everything goes well, Kudankulam will be able to connect the plant to the southern grid in 30 to 45 days.

The first nuclear reactor attained criticality on Julu 13. Sundar said sustained nuclear reaction had been achieved and all parameters were as per expectations.

Kudankulam began generating heat and steam from the 163 uranium fuel bundles loaded in the reactor. The reactor was loaded with fuel assemblies containing 80 tons of uranium oxide.

Two 1,000 MW reactors built with Russian technology and equipment are located at Kudankulam, some 650 km from Chennai.