The head of the Russian nuclear agency on May 23rd announced that Russia is prepared to aid India in constructing high-capacity nuclear power units at a new location, alongside the ongoing atomic power project at Kudankulam, as part of their collaborative efforts to expand cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Alexey Likhachev, director general of the ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation, extended the offer during a meeting with Atomic Energy Commission chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty in Seversk, Russia. The discussion took place during Mohanty's visit to the "Proryv" or "Breakthrough" project, aimed at establishing a new power plant with a closed nuclear fuel cycle.

According to a statement released by ROSATOM, Likhachev expressed readiness for a significant expansion of cooperation with India in utilising nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This encompasses the serial construction of Russian-designed high-capacity nuclear power units at a fresh site within India.

Likhachev also conveyed Russia's openness to engaging in land-based and floating low-power generation projects, as well as cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle and non-power applications of nuclear technologies.

Currently, Russia is assisting India with the construction of the Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu. This project involves the installation of six light-water nuclear reactors, each with a capacity of 1,000 MW. Initiated in 2002, the project saw the first reactor commencing commercial operations in 2014, followed by the second in 2016, with work ongoing for two additional reactors.

During his visit to Russia last December, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russian officials signed agreements to advance the construction of the fifth and sixth reactors for the Kudankulam project. Speaking at a news conference in Mumbai on May 13, Jaishankar mentioned that India is actively exploring additional sites for Russian reactors.

A meeting between Mohanty and Likhachev occurred during the Indian official's visit to the Pilot Demonstration Energy Complex (PDEC) in Seversk, Tomsk region, as part of the Proryv project. They discussed the progress made in the Kudankulam project, according to a statement.

In addition to establishing a platform with a closed nuclear fuel cycle, the Proryv project aims to address issues related to spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management.

The Kudankulam project stands as India's largest nuclear power plant and is hailed by ROSATOM as a flagship collaboration in the Russian-Indian technological and power industry sphere.

The statement further indicated that construction and installation work are ongoing at Units 3 and 4, two power units of the project's third stage, simultaneously. ROSATOM State Corporation is responsible for supplying fuel to the power units of Kudankulam NPP throughout their operational lifecycle.

Image source: Hindustan Times