'Nuclear fuel for Kudankulam power project soon'
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:21 [IST]
 Madurai (TN): Ahead of President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, Russia yesterday (Jan 22, 2007)said it would start supplying nuclear fuel for the first reactor in theKudankulam atomic power project from the second quarter of 2007.
"During the second quarter of this year we expect to deliver fuel to thefirst reactor at the Kudankulam," head of the Russian Automic EnergyAgency Sergei Kiriyenko told reporters as he visited the construction site ofthe plant. Russiawould ensure continous supply of nuclear fuel to the plant without violation ofnuclear proliferation laws as long as the project functions, he said.
Kiriyenko said that Russiadid not expect any pressure from the Nuclear Fuel Suppliers Group (NSG) for thesupply of fuel to the reactors of the KKNP. Kiriyenko's remarks came three days ahead of Putin's visit starting Thursdayduring which India and Russiaare expected to bolster ties in defence and energy sectors.
Moscow is already building two units of 1000MWTe in Kudankulam and is expected to ink an initial agreement with Indiaon the construction of four additional nuclear power plants during Putin'svisit.
Chairman of Atomic Energy Corporation and secretary of Department of AtomicEnergy Anil Kakodkar said an MoU has been inked by the NTPC and ROSATOM forreconstruction of third and fourth nuclear reactors.
"Details regarding the supply of fuel would be furnished once the deal isfinalised," he said. |
