File photo of Kudankulam nuclear power plant

A little after midnight India's largest nuclear reactor at Kudankulam started generating electricity on a commercial basis. The 1000 MW reactor made with Russian assistance had been limping, generating electricity only on an experimental basis after its turbine suffered a damage a few months ago. After repairs today it is generating full 1000 MW of power.The 1000 MW of electricity will provide much needed relief to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka and Kerala where power output will be augmented. The reactor made at a cost of over Rs 8000 crores has been much delayed and activists have called it 'unsafe'.India has recently signed a deal for importing another 14 reactors from Russia.

The second 1000 MW unit at Kudankulam is likely to come online in 2015.