Question: Two nuclear power plants units of which of the following were commissioned during the period 2014-15 to 2015-16?
(a) Kudankulam
(b) Kalapakkam
(c) Kaiga
(d) Gorakhpur
Answer: (a)
Related facts:
- On 3 January 2019,Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Atomic Energy and Space informed that during the period 2014-15 to 2015-16, two nuclear power plants Kudankulam Unit 1 & 2 (2*1,000 MW) were commissioned and commenced commercial operation.
- Commissioning is the process when all systems and components of a new nuclear power plant are made operational and when they are verified to be in accordance with the design and to have met the required safety & quality standards (as per IAEA Safety Glossary, 2007).
- It usually takes from less than five years to longer than ten years to build up the first grid connection as per IAEA head Ki-Sig Kang.
About Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant:
- The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is situated in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is developed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and is also the single largest nuclear power station in India.
- It currently operates with two 1,000 MW Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) unit based on Russian technology. Four more units are scheduled to be added in the plant as per an agreement signed between India and Russia in December 2018.
Links:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187137
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/new-iaea-publication-commissioning-guidelines-for-nuclear-power-plants
https://www.power-technology.com/projects/kudankulam-nuclear-power-plant/