India Approves 50 MW Power Allocation for Kudankulam Units 3 and 4

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India has approved the allocation of 50 megawatts (MW) of unallocated 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 is a significant step towards accelerating the operational readiness of these new reactors located in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.

Effective from midnight on October 19, 2025, the revised power allocation will remain in place until further notice, as stated by the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC). The allocation is in response to a request from the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), which is overseeing the construction of the two new 1,000 MW Light Water Reactors (LWRs) at the Kudankulam site.

According to an order from the Union Ministry of Power dated September 2, 2024, NPCIL is permitted to draw up to 50 MW from Units 1 and 2 solely for start-up purposes, adhering to the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) Regulations, 2023. The arrangement necessitates that Units 3 and 4 be registered as beneficiaries of Unit 1. The Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre (SRLDC) will manage all scheduling and accounting related to this power draw.

Progress at the site remains steady, with NPCIL reporting that the 63 MVA Common Station Auxiliary Transformer (CSAT) has already been energized to supply auxiliary power. Initial power consumption will be minimal during the stabilisation phase, gradually increasing as testing and system checks commence.

To address any potential additional power needs exceeding 50 MW or to provide for outages at Unit 1, the Ministry of Power has instructed NPCIL to explore alternative power arrangements through the Tamil Nadu transmission network. Projections indicate that peak start-up demand may reach 60 MW in December 2025 and 65 MW by January 2026.

As of August 2025, construction progress for Units 3 and 4 stands at 78 percent. Unit 3 has achieved major milestones, including the completion of the inner and outer containment dome concreting and the welding of the main coolant pipeline. Meanwhile, Unit 4 has finalized the erection of its Nuclear Steam Supply System.

Currently, Units 1 and 2 together generate 1,125 MW of electricity for Tamil Nadu. The state has requested the entirety of the 2,000 MW capacity expected from Units 3 and 4; however, the central government has stated that a decision on this allocation will be made at a later date.

The approval and ongoing developments at Kudankulam highlight India’s commitment to expanding its nuclear energy capacity, aiming to meet growing energy demands while contributing to a more sustainable energy future.