Lok Sabha Question No. 2725 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Technical Fault at KNPP
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2725

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## TECHNICAL FAULT AT KNPP

2725.  SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of various technical issues arising at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  unit  I  and  II  of  the  said  plant  has  been  experiencing  technical failure  on  several  occasions  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the two units of the plant  produced 2089 MW at their peak on 28 th November, 2017 as per a southern regional load dispatch centre report and if so, the details thereof and the risk associated with the said incident; and
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any detailed examination of the said power  plant  to  ensure  rigorous  compliance  of  the  safety  norms  and  total safety of the said plant and if so, the details and the outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a)&(b)  Kudankulam Units 1&2 (2x1000 MW) set up in cooperation with the Russian Federation are VVER 1000 type Light Water Reactors.  These units have the distinction of being the highest capacity units in the country.  The VVER 1000 is a safe and robust technology and VVERs are in safe operation in several countries like Russian Federation, Ukraine, China, Iran, etc.  They have  advanced,  state  of  the  art  safety  features  like  four  safety  trains, Passive Heat Removal system, Core catcher etc.

The first unit was shutdown in June 2015 for refueling for the first time after generating about 6875 Million Units of electricity.  During the first refueling shutdown, in parallel with refueling, detailed inspections, surveillance tests, mandatory  checks  and  routine  maintenance works were  carried out.

Thereafter the unit was reconnected to the grid in January 2016.  Apart from the long refueling shutdown of Unit-1, there have been some instances of unit  trips.    Each  of  the  instances  have  been  investigated,  the  root  cause determined and necessary measures taken in consultation with the Russian experts and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).  In none of these instances the safety of plants was challenged.

- (c) The Kudankulam Units 1&2 are each of capacity 1000 MW (rated electrical output).  This is corresponding to the rated reactor power.  Even as the unit operates  at  the  rated  reactor  power,  the  electrical  output  may  at  times exceed  1000  MW  on  account  of  enhanced  efficiency  due  to  favorable environmental conditions (like cooling water temperature), condenser vacuum etc.

Nuclear power plants are operated strictly in line with laid down procedures and technical specifications approved by the AERB and in no case the rated reactor power has been exceeded.  On November 28, 2017, at no point the reactor power exceeded the rated power.

- (d) Yes, Sir.  Periodic safety audit of all atomic power plants in India is carried out  by  the  Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB).    All  Nuclear  Power Projects  (NPP)  undergo  an  elaborate  in-depth  safety  review  during  all stages, viz. siting, construction, commissioning  and  operation. After satisfactory review during project state, AERB issues operating licence to an NPP for a period of five years.  During the project stage of a power plant, quarterly  regulatory  inspections  and  during  operation  of  a  power  plant, regulatory inspections are carried out by AERB once every six months.  A consolidated safety assessment of the plant is undertaken while renewing the operating licence after every five years.  Further, all plants are required to  undergo  a  comprehensive  Periodic  Safety  Review  (PSR)  as  per  the established guidelines, where the safety of the plant is assessed considering cumulative  effects  of  ageing,  plant  modifications,  operating  experience  as well  as  comparison  with  the  current  safety  standards/practices.    The recommendations made in all these reviews are appropriately addressed.

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