The reactor was behaving exceptionally well as it reached the maximum generation capacity.

: The second unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project attained its maximum capacity of 1,000 MWe at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday.

“It’s a great moment for the KKNPP, which is already successfully operating its elder sister (first unit). After successfully crossing a range of tests, the second reactor reached the milestone of generating 1,000 MWe at 8.30 p.m. today,” an elated R.S. Sundar, Site Director, KKNPP, told The Hindu.

He said the reactor was behaving exceptionally well as it reached the maximum generation capacity.

After attaining criticality on July 10 last year, power generation was gradually increased at several stages in the second reactor. On attaining 250 MWe, 400 MWe, 500 MWe, 750 MWe and 900 MWe, power generation in the reactor was stopped for a range of mandatory tests stipulated by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

Only after the AERB gave its nod at every level, power generation was increased to the next stage and ultimately to take the reactor to its maximum capacity of 1,000 MWe.

This is really good news for the Tangedco, which is already getting 562.50 MWe from the first reactor. Neighbouring Telengana, Karnataka and Kerala are getting 50 MWe, 221 MWe and 133 MWe respectively from the first reactor while the Union Territory of Puducherry’s share stands at 33.50 MWe.

Tamil Nadu is expected to get a minimum of 462.50 MWe from the second unit.

KKNPP SO FAR …

* Inter-governmental agreement for setting up two 1,000 MWe reactors at Kudankulam was signed between then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev signed in 1988.

* Anti-KKNPP protests started in 1990.

* Construction of the reactors began in 2000; first pour of concrete for reactors in March 2002.

* Minor port created on the project site in 2004.

* Planned for four more plants in 2008.

* Anti-nuke protests intensified even as work on the first two units underway.

* First unit attained criticality on July 13, 2013; synchronised to grid on October 22, 2013.

* Loading of enriched uranium fuel loading in second reactor commenced on May 11, 2016.

* First Approach to criticality at 7.52 p.m. on July 8, 2016.

* Attained criticality at 8.56 p.m. on July 10, 2016.

* Synchronised to the southern grid on August 29, 2016.

* Work on reactors 3 and 4 commenced on October 15, 2016.