Russo-Ukraine War: Shipment of N-reactor components to Kudankulam plants a concern

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) officials are wondering about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the delivery of nuclear power plant components from Russia’s Rosatom for the four plants being set up at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu.

Russian integrated nuclear power company Rosatom is supplying four 1,000 MW reactor components to NPCIL, which is setting up four nuclear power plants at Kudankulam. NPCIL has to arrange ships to bring reactor components from Russia to India.

Following the Russian military operation in Ukraine, the US, UK and other Western countries have imposed economic sanctions on Russia. Speaking to IANS on condition of anonymity, a senior NPCIL official said that the shipping sector has been affected due to the conflict. The official also said that Rosatom will inform about the items that can be lifted from Russia and ships will be arranged accordingly.

Sources close to NPCIL told IANS that western ships may not be available to lift cargo from Russia to India and the alternative is to look for Chinese or ships from other countries. Queries to IANS sent to Rosatom South Asia Marketing (India) on the issue remained unanswered.

India’s nuclear power plant operator NPCIL is currently constructing four nuclear power plants (Units 3, 4, 5 and 6) of 1,000 MW capacity at Kudankulam. Two 1,000 MW plants (Units 1 and 2) are already operational at Kudankulam. All six units are built with Russian technology and equipment supplied by Rosatom. Major equipment for manufacturing the third and fourth units has arrived at Kudankulam from Russia. A large number of spares for units 5th and 6th are to be supplied from Russia.

Read also | High level probe ordered, missile system credible: Rajnath Singh on missile misfire in Pakistan

latest world news