Unit 1 of the Kudankulam nuclear power station in India’s southern Tamil Nadu state has attained full operating power for the first time and could now enter commercial operation next month, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) said.

The unit achieved first criticality in July 2014 and was connected to the grid in October 2014. Since then, output has been increased in stages, with regulatory approval required for each increase in power.

Commissioning has been delayed because of protests and legal action following the March 2011 accident at Japan’s Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear station

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency there are 21 commercially operational nuclear units in India with six under construction, although the IAEA lists Kudankulam-1 as already being operational.

http://www.nucnet.org/all-the-news/2014/06/10/india-s-kudankulam-1-could-begin-commercial-operation-next-month