Second nuclear power reactor unit of 1000 MWe capacity at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu achieved criticality on Sunday. It is the last phase before nuclear power reactors can start generating.
According to the department of atomic energy this is the second 1,000 MW pressurised water reactor to go critical in the country. The first unit at Kudankulam went critical in July 2013.
The unit will start commercial generation in next four to six months. Prior to that tests have to be conducted and then the unit will be connected to the Southern power grid.
The approach towards criticality started on Friday with the gradual removal of the control rods. Once the second unit at Kudankulam starts power generation to its full capacity, the total atomic power capacity in Tamil Nadu would go up to 2,440 MW.
