CERC has granted permission to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to extend the timeline for power interchange from the grid. This extension is with respect to the newly-synchronized Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant (Unit-3) in Gujarat.
NPCIL had sought a time extension up to January 9, 2022 or the actual date of commercial operation of KAPP-3, whichever is earlier. KAPP-3 was synchronized to the grid on January 10, 2021 but has not yet started commercial operations due to a variety of reasons. In its order dated June 9, 2021, CERC has granted the permission sought.
The time extension was being sought for allowing interchange of infirm power, including drawl of start-up power from grid, under the Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM). In normal circumstances, such interchange is allowed for a period of six months from date of synchronization to grid of a new power generating unit. In the case of KAPP-3, this time period is going to end on July 9, 2021 (six months from date of synchronization to grid, which is January 10, 2021).
KAPP-3 is India’s first attempt at building atomic power plants using pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) technology that has been fully developed by Indian scientists and engineers. KAPP-3 is the first of sixteen such indigenous 700-mw PHWRs that that have been approved by the government.
Commercial operations of KAPP-3 have been delayed for a variety of technical reasons. In KAPP-3 a several systems—the passive decay heat removal system for instance—have been deployed for the first time. According to guidelines of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), these systems have to be successfully demonstrated at lower power first, before they can be validated for full load.
Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM) is a tool, introduced by CERC in February 2014, as a means to achieve grid discipline and stability. It involves imposition of penalties and incentives for deviations from committed drawls/injections by grid users.
Testing activities at KAPP-3 were progressing at 50 per cent load. However, when the load was raised further, there were certain technical issues like abnormal increase in pump room temperature. To address this issue, NPCIL carried out some design modifications, delaying the testing activities. Restriction during the pandemic-induced lockdown also delayed matters. All this has contributed to the delay in full-load testing, which, in turn, is delaying commercial operations.
NPCIL, in its petition, submitted that the delay in declaring commercial operations has been caused by factors beyond the company’s control.
In its order, CERC observed that non-availability of infirm power including start-up power may hamper the progress of commissioning work, resulting in further delay in declaration of COD of KAPP-3.
Taking cognizance of the matter, CERC allowed NPCIL to draw the start-up power and to inject the infirm power into the grid for commissioning tests including full load test of KAPP-3 up to January 9, 2022, or actual date of commercial operation, whichever is earlier.
(Featured photograph, sourced from larsentoubro.com is for illustration only)
