Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project's first unit has finally been synchronised with the southern regional electricity grid, and the unit started with generating 75 MW of electricity.

RS Sundar, site director at the controversial nuclear power plant KNPP, said, confirmed that the first unit of the nuclear plant was synchronised with the power grid at 2.45 am on Tuesday.

Confirming the development, Sundar said, "Unit 1 synchronisation with the power grid done at 2.45 am on Tuesday, generating 75 MW of power."

The development is a big achievement for the plant that has suffered severe protests by anti-nuclear activists. The People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), which has spearheading the protests against the nuclear plant, has been warning of potential hazards of a nuclear reactor in the area.

The unit produced up to 150 MW of electricity. It was the first time when the unit was linked to the grid. It may however still consume a few more months for the nuclear unit to be commissioned.

KNPP, which India developed in partnership with Russia, is the country's first pressurized water nuclear reactor belonging to category of light water reactors.

KNPP is expected to provide residents and businesses of southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry with much-needed relief from long power cuts.