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Anil Sasi

First supply may start by Q2 of 2007; plans four more units in TN

New Delhi March 27 Russia could commence nuclear fuel supplies for the Koodankulam atomic power project over the next three months.

The Russian Government has told the Indian side that it has already co-ordinated the issue with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is ready for the first supply for the facility in Tamil Nadu, which is being built with Russian participation.

"The Russian side has already co-ordinated the supply with IAEA and clearances have been obtained for the first supply for Koodankulam by the second quarter of 2007," a Government official said. Russia has committed to refuel Koodankulam throughout its service.

The project's first unit is likely to be commissioned in the second half of 2008, the second one in 2009.

The Russian Government has provided India with a long-term credit, which covers almost half of the total cost of $2.6 billion entailed in setting up the project.

Besides the two 1,000 MW units under construction at Koodankulam, Russia is contemplating the construction of four new units at the same site. In all, Russia could be building up to 10 nuclear units across various sites in India subject to the progress made by the country in its forthcoming negotiations with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

There is also the possibility of India getting access to nuclear fuel supplies from the proposed Angarsk International Uranium Enrichment Centre being set up by Russia for supply of uranium to countries with nuclear energy programmes under IAEA safeguards. The International Uranium Enrichment Centre, which Russia is setting up in collaboration with countries such as Kazakhstan under IAEA supervision at the Angarsk Electrolysis Chemical Plant in Eastern Siberia, could start full-fledged operations as early as by the middle of this year.

The Centre is expected to produce only low-enriched uranium, which cannot be diverted for building nuclear weapons.

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