(a) whether any mechanical mal-function was reported/experienced in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in the recent past;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of incidents of mechanical mal-function reported/experienced since it started functioning;
(c) whether any security arrangements have been made to secure the said plant from cyber attack; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR.JITENDRA SINGH):
(a)&(b)In the recent past, an issue with KKNPP Unit-1 Turbo-generator bearings was faced, which was corrected and thereafter the unit is performing well at its rated power of 1000 MW. In KKNPP Unit-2, increased vibration in generator stator was observed at higher power levels. The unit is therefore presently being operated at about 65% power. The generator stator is planned to be replaced during the next refueling outage, which is planned from December 2019.
KKNPP Units 1&2 commenced commercial operation on December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2017 respectively. The units have since generated about 21648 and 10636 Million Units of electricity till October 2019 respectively. The total number of outages due to issues related to mechanical equipment since commercial operation have been 6 and 8 in Units-1& 2 respectively.
(c) Yes, Sir.
(d) In nuclear power plant systems, security arrangements are in place which secures the plant from cyber-attack. These security measures include authorization, authentication & access control mechanisms, strict configuration control and surveillance. Additionally, these nuclear power plant systems are isolated from internet and are not accessible from administrative network.
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