The Hindu : National : RAPP unit hit by uranium shortage

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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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RAPP unit hit by uranium shortage

Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI: The shortage of nuclear fuel is having a telling effect on the functioning of major nuclear stations in the country, with a majority of them operating at a low load factor.

The latest casualty is Unit V of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (RAPP), the commissioning of which has been delayed for almost a year now.

This has been elaborated in the latest report submitted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to the Power Ministry on the working of the nuclear as well as thermal stations in the country and their electricity generation.

“There are delays in the commissioning of the RAPP due to shortage of fuel. The plant was scheduled to commence operations late last year, but now has been deferred for a few months,” Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh told The Hindu.

According to the CEA status report, the nuclear stations operated at a low load factor of 43.61 per cent, compared to the target load factor of 47.7 per cent, mainly on account of lower availability of nuclear fuel.

“The commissioning of Unit V RAPP is expected to be delayed further till September this year on account of non-availability of fuel, though the reactor and other components are ready for commissioning,” the report stated.

Another startling fact that has come to light in the CEA report is that considerable delays have taken place in achieving the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of projects with a total installation of 3,330 MW which were commissioned during 2007-08. Sipat Unit IV, Mejia Unit VI and Bellary Unit I which were commissioned during the year did not generate any energy.

COD delayed

Three thermal power stations with an installation of 835 MW which were synchronised in 2006-07 have not yet achieved the COD.

Kahalgaon Unit V commissioned in March last year did not generate any energy.

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