The Koodankulam project in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu took a step closer to reality when the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) signed a $500 million contract with Russia’s Atmostroy corporation for the supply of two VVER-1000 reactors with a total capacity of 2000MWe. The company will also supply the associated steam turbines and generators for the turbines.

The reactor and steam generator housings will be manufactured at the Izhora works in St Petersburg over the next three years. The works will supply 300t of equipment including filters and piping systems for the turbines worth $5 million.

The fuel for Koodankulam is also expected to come from Russia when the plant is completed in five years time. Excavation work at the site is nearing completion for the start of concreting.