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Alarm shuts down power unit of India’s Kudankulam NPP

The signal came reportedly due to a failed switch to transmission lines

NEW DELHI, January 15. /TASS/. The first power unit of India’s Kudankulam NPP, in the southern Tamil Nadu state, was shut down on Thursday after an emergency signal was activated, a source in India’s Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL) has said.

The signal came reportedly due to a failed switch to transmission lines, the source said, adding that “works are underway to clarify the causes and fix the malfunction, and the power unit will start operation only after its safe use is guaranteed.”

The Kudankulam NPP is the major facility of the Russian-Indian nuclear energy cooperation. The first power unit was connected to the power system in late October 2013, and in May 2014 the unit reached 90% of its operating capacity. The unit attained maximum capacity in June 2014.

Preparations for reaching the minimum controllable power level of output are underway at unit No. 2, which means the start of the chain reaction there.

India hopes to begin construction of power units No. 3 an No. 4 by early 2016 and launch them into full operation before March 2021.