Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have agreed on contract details that set up construction of Units 5 and 6 at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, according to the Deccan Chronicle.
The Chronicle cited “Russian sources,” as claiming that the two leaders put the finishing touches on a General Framework Agreement and a Credit Protocol for the two units. A formal announcement on the agreements is expected in Goa on Saturday as a sidebar to the BRICS Summit. BRICS is an acronym that stands for Brazil, Russia, India and China and South Africa, which represents five of the world's most dynamic economies none of which are members of the 35-member Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Reports also indicate that the two countries are planning a celebratory event for the first pouring of concrete for Units 3 and 4 at Kudankulam.
The agreements follow on the heels of a belated ceremony celebrating the start of Unit 1 in August, a project jointly managed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India and Rosatom. The unit was synchronized to the grid in October 2013 after achieving first criticality in July 2013.
Unit 2 at Kudankulam achieved first criticality in July of this year. It was connected to the grid in August with commercial operations set to begin in 2017.
Groundbreaking ceremonies have already celebrated the start of construction for Units 3 and 4. The event marking those construction starts was held in February of this year.