Russia starts shipment of fuel from Siberia to third reactor of Kudankulam nuclear power project

The nuclear fuel division of Russia’s Rosatom, which is constructing nuclear reactors at Kudankulam, has started delivering nuclear fuel for the initial loading of the highly advanced fuel in the Unit 3 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP).

The cargo flight carrying the fuel assemblies manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, an enterprise of the Rosatom’s Nuclear Fuel Division, in Siberia successfully delivered the fuel for the maiden loading of nuclear fuel in the third reactor of KKNPP. A total of seven flights from Russia to India are planned to supply the entire reactor core and some reserve fuel. The shipments of fuel are provided under the contract signed in 2024, which includes fuel supply for units 3 and 4 of the KKNPP for the entire service life starting from the initial loading.

During the operation of the two power units of the first phase of the KKNPP, Russian and Indian engineers have done considerable amount of work to increase their efficiency through the introduction of advanced nuclear fuel and extended fuel cycles. Starting from 2022, the KKNPP is supplied with nuclear fuel of the TVS-2M model that ensures extended fuel cycle. It provides more reliable and cost-effective reactor operation due to its rigid design, a new generation anti-debris filter and an increased mass of uranium. Its introduction has also enabled elongation of the fuel cycle of the reactors from 12 to 18 months, so the power units are being stopped less frequently for fuel re-load and generate more electricity.

In other words, KKNPP’s third and fourth reactors, which are under construction, will become the first in history VVER-1,000 power units to be launched in an 18-month fuel cycle right from its commissioning.

“This is the result of successful cooperation in recent years between Rosatom’s Nuclear Fuel Division and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), as the efficient solutions that had been previously implemented at similar power plants in Russia and China were introduced at the two operational Kudankulam power units (2 X 1,000 MW). Throughout the entire operational life of nuclear power plants, Rosatom not only supplies nuclear fuel, but also provides engineering services, increasing the efficiency of power units by introducing new fuel and fuel cycle solutions,” said highly placed sources in Rosatom.

After the first 2 X 1,000 Mwe reactors were commissioned in 2013 and 2017, four more reactors with similar capacity are under various stages of construction at the KKNPP.

The Nuclear Fuel Division of Rosatom State Corporation, managed by TVEL JSC. includes enterprises engaged in fabrication of nuclear fuel, uranium conversion and enrichment, manufacturing of gas centrifuges, as well as research and development and design institutions. Being the sole supplier of nuclear fuel for Russian nuclear power projects, TVEL provides fuel for more than 70 power reactors in 15 countries worldwide, research reactors in nine countries as well as propulsion reactors of the Russian nuclear fleet.

“One out of every six power reactors globally operates on TVEL fuel. The fuel division is the world’s largest producer of enriched uranium and stable isotopes. TVEL is also focused on development of new businesses in chemistry, metallurgy, energy storage, 3D printing, digital solutions and decommissioning of nuclear facilities,” the sources added.