CEA Approves 50 MW for Start-Up of Kudankulam Units 3 and 4

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has approved the allocation of 50 megawatts (MW) of power from Unit 1 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) to facilitate the start-up and commissioning of Units 3 and 4. This decision, which aims to expedite the commissioning of new reactors, became effective at midnight on October 19, 2025, and will remain in place until further notice.

In response to a request from the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), the CEA has sanctioned this power allocation, which is crucial for the ongoing development of the two 1,000 MW Light Water Reactors (LWRs) located in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. According to the Union Ministry of Power’s directive dated September 2, 2024, NPCIL is permitted to draw this power strictly for start-up activities, adhering to the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) Regulations, 2023.

Power Management and Future Projections

The revised arrangement stipulates that Units 3 and 4 must be registered as beneficiaries of Unit 1. The scheduling and accounting of the power draw will be managed by the Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre (SRLDC). NPCIL has reported that commissioning activities are advancing steadily, with the 63 MVA Common Station Auxiliary Transformer (CSAT) already operational to provide necessary auxiliary power.

Initially, the power draw will be minimal during the stabilisation phase, with plans to gradually increase usage as testing and system checks progress. Additionally, the Ministry of Power has directed NPCIL to consider alternative power arrangements through the Tamil Nadu transmission network. This is essential to meet any additional start-up requirements exceeding 50 MW or during potential outages at Unit 1. NPCIL has forecasted that peak start-up demand could rise to 60 MW by December 2025 and 65 MW by January 2026.

As of August 2025, overall construction progress of Units 3 and 4 stands at 78 percent. Significant milestones have been achieved for both units, including the completion of major structural elements in Unit 3 and the erection of its Nuclear Steam Supply System in Unit 4. Currently, Units 1 and 2 collectively provide 1,125 MW of electricity to Tamil Nadu. The state has requested full allocation of the 2,000 MW expected from Units 3 and 4, although the central government has indicated that a decision will be made at a later stage.

The progress at Kudankulam is poised to play a vital role in meeting the growing energy demands of Tamil Nadu, contributing significantly to the region’s power infrastructure as these new units come online.