Kudankulam plant I dedicated jointly by PM Modi, Vladimir Putin, Jayalalithaa

Putin, speaking from Moscow, said it was a big event for all.

“The power plant is updated with most modern Russian technologies. It is not just construction and commissioning of the power plant. It is well known that Russia is one of the world leaders in nuclear technology and we are glad to share with our Indian colleagues our technology,” he said.

Joining the event from Chennai, Jayalalithaa said KNPP was a “monument commemorating the long standing, abiding and deep friendship between Russia and India and that she had supported implementation of the project, at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, all through her 10 years in office”.

The KNPP had been set up using the Russian VVER type reactors based on enriched uranium and its second unit was expected to start operations later this year.

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The completion of the first unit was delayed in view of strident protests by local people, who raised safety concerns, before it became operational.

The Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) VVER-1000 had gone critical in July 2014 and the commercial operations started from December 31 the same year, with the unit coming to the aid of the then power starved Tamil Nadu.

The Cumulative Generation of Unit I since the date of commercial operation is 6,498 million units (MU) with its capacity factor peaking to 100 per cent in June this year.

The Prime Minister said the dedication of KNPP-I marked another historic time line in Indo-Russia relations.

“In successful completion, it is not only another fine example of the strength of our special and privileged strategic partnership, it is also a celebration of our binding friendship. It is only a start of our cooperation in this field,” he said.

Modi said five more units of 1,000 MW each would be built at the KNPP.

“Today’s event is also a joyful occasion for the team of Indian and Russian scientists and technicians. We salute their dedication and hard work and congratulate them for the fruits of their labour,” he said.

Jayalalithaa said nuclear power was “clean, green and firm power”, which a rapidly growing state like Tamil Nadu, aspiring for higher growth rates and shared prosperity, really needed.

“The dedication of the KNPP is a major milestone in Indo-Russian cooperation. Throughout my 10 years in office as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu I have always extended support to the implementation of the Kudankulam project while at the same time laying focus on allaying the fears of the local people by convincing them about its safety,” she said.

Noting that a nuclear power plant takes long time to be built and commissioned than conventional units, she said very high safety standards were needed to be observed.

“The smooth commercial operation of this project, overcoming many obstacles–economic, political and social, global, national and local–stands testimony to the unwavering commitment to the project of the governments of Tamil Nadu, India and Russia,” Jayalalithaa said.

Successful commissioning of the project was an object lesson on how the fears and apprehensions of the local population could be and should be allayed through a process of engagement and reassurance and by building community assets and infrastructure, she said.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister recalled that when the commissioning of the first unit was getting delayed due to prolonged agitation by the locals, she had taken up the matter with Central government and the fears and concerns were heeded and addressed.