Russia and India plan to sign in September/October a general contract for the construction of the Koodankulam nuclear power plant in India, according to the Russian Atomic Energy Ministry. The announcement followed a meeting on 24 June between Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev and the head of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission, Anil Kakodkar.
Koodankulam is to have two 1000MWe VVER units and the technical blueprints are in their final stage. India expects long-term Russian participation in the programme, in particular the construction of additional units (up to six in Koodankulam worth $8-9 billion), uranium deliveries to the Rajasthan nuclear power station under the safeguards of IAEA and deliveries of other equipment. This is in addition to an existing contract for the delivery of fuel components to the Tarapur plant which is under IAEA safeguards.
