Kudankulam Takes Centre Stage During Putin Visit As Russia Adds Fuel To India’s Nuclear Future

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking during a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighted the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) as the flagship project underpinning the robust

energy pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership. Situated in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, KKNPP is India’s largest nuclear power generation facility, and Moscow’s renewed commitment is crucial for India’s ambitious long-term energy goals.

President Putin confirmed that two of the six Russian-designed VVER-1000 reactors at KKNPP are already operational, collectively contributing 2,000 MW of power to the national grid. Units 1 and 2, which began commercial operation in 2014 and 2017, respectively, represent the core of the current Indo-Russian collaboration. Crucially, the Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, has committed to ensuring the plant reaches its full designed capacity.

The expansion of the project is now well underway, with Units 3, 4, 5, and 6 in various stages of construction. Each of these reactors will also add 1,000 MW, bringing the total installed capacity of the KKNPP site to 6,000 MW upon full commissioning, which is expected progressively over the coming years. This commitment is not only about capacity but also technical advancement; Rosatom recently announced the delivery of the first batch of nuclear fuel for the initial loading of Unit 3, ensuring the long-term fuel supply for the upcoming reactors.

The KKNPP project is a significant component of India’s strategic vision to bolster its low-carbon, baseload energy supply. The Indian government has set an ambitious target of reaching 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, and the successful and timely completion of the Kudankulam expansion is vital to meeting this goal. Furthermore, the joint statement noted that the two sides agreed to accelerate technical discussions on the VVER design for a second nuclear power plant site in India and to explore future cooperation on advanced technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), further cementing Russia’s indispensable role in India’s nuclear energy future.