The first unit of the Russian-aided Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) was connected with the southern electricity grid Tuesday, the project officially announced here

 

 "The first unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project is synchronized to the grid on 22.10.2073 at 0245 hours and generating 160 MW," KNPP said in a statement."The power will be further raised to 500 MW, 750 MW and 1000 MW in stages," it added.

 

 With every increase in generation, the plant will have to get regulatory approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, KNPP said. With the synchronising of Kudankulam unit 1, nuclear power contribution in India will increase from 4780 MW to 5780 MW.

 

 KNPP unit 1 is the 20th nuclear power station of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), connected to the country's power grid, the statement said.