'Nuclear fuel for Kudankulam soon'
Russia said it would start supplying nuclear fuel for the first reactor from the second quarter of 2007.
Ahead of President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, Russia on Tuesday said it would start supplying nuclear fuel for the first reactor in the Kudankulam atomic power project from the second quarter of 2007.
"During the second quarter of this year we expect to deliver fuel to the first reactor at the Kudankulam," head of the Russian Automic Energy Agency Sergei Kiriyenko told reporters as he visited the construction site of the plant.
Russia would ensure continous supply of nuclear fuel to the plant without violation of nuclear proliferation laws as long as the project functions, he said.
Kiriyenko said that Russia did not expect any pressure from the Nuclear Fuel Suppliers Group (NSG) for the supply of fuel to the reactors of the KKNP.
Kiriyenko's remarks came three days ahead of Putin's visit starting on Thursday during which India and Russia are expected to bolster ties in defence and energy sectors.
Moscow is already building two units of 1000 MWTe in Kudankulam and is expected to ink an initial agreement with India on the construction of four additional nuclear power plants during Putin's visit.
Chairman of Atomic Energy Corporation and secretary of Department of Atomic Energy Anil Kakodkar said an MoU has been inked by the NTPC and ROSATOM for reconstruction of third and fourth nuclear reactors.
Details regarding the supply of fuel would be furnished once the deal is finalised, he said.
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