State will have to wait for unit to stabilise to get full quota Will the commissioning of the first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) lead to less load shedding in Tamil Nadu? There may not be much change in the situation in the immediate future, according to a section of experts. However, a former Member (Generation) [MG] of the erstwhile Tamil Nadu Electricity Board says there will be some impact on the grid once generation from the first unit stabilises. A few days ago, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office V. Narayanasamy told reporters in Puducherry that the project was likely to be commissioned by December 15. To substantiate their point that the Kudankulam power may not make a huge difference to the State, the experts contrast the quantum of shortage — 4,000 megawatt (MW) — with what is expected from the first unit — about 463 MW. As the unit is expected to take months before achieving the rated capacity of 1,000 MW, the State has to wait longer to get its full quota. Even by the most optimistic estimate, an official says the allotted quantum is likely to reduce load shedding only by about an hour or so. At present, 14 to 16 hours of load shedding is being effected in the State, with the exception of Chennai, which faces two hours’ power cut. The former MG says the pace of generation from nuclear power plants can only be gradual, unlike in the case of thermal power plants. There should not be any attempt to create the impression that power from the Kudankulam plant will address the problem of shortage. One has to keep in mind how much power the State is going to get from it. Disappointment Responding to Mr. Narayanasamy’s observation that the State will get power only as per the original agreement among the southern States, Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA) president V.S. Manimaran expressed disappointment and recalled the Minister’s assurance to Madurai-based industrialists in February that he would push for a major share of power for Tamil Nadu.