Big boost to ongoing nuclear power projects in India.
By R Chandrasekaran
CHENNAI: The Supreme Court has paved the way for the nuclear power plant in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. The court order is not only a big relief to the power starved state but also is a shot in the arm for the country to complete ongoing nuclear power projects.
The court dismissed an appeal against the commissioning of the nuclear power plant in Kudankulam saying the plant is safe and secure. However, the interesting point in the order is its observation that India needs nuclear power plants for the current as well as future generations.
The Supreme Court has also provided 15 guidelines with regard to the commissioning, environmental, safety and security issues as far as Kudankulam power plant is concerned. It also observed that the plant is necessary in the larger public interest besides economic uptick.
While Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) welcomed the court verdict, the protesting leaders of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) termed the court order as ‘unjust’.
The court order allows NPC to start its first phase of 1,000 MW of power generation from the plant by the end of May. The second phase involves generating another 1,000 MW of power.
Commenting on the order, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant’s site director R. Sundar told the press, “The apex court’s order has vindicated our stand that the project is safe and secured. The order has also upheld the judgment delivered earlier by the Madras High Court, which cleared the project, and also the recommendations of the review committees appointed by the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government. Today’s order is certainly a morale booster for the workforce working quite hard for the completion of project.”
For India, nuclear power is the fourth biggest source of power generation. At the end of 2012, there were 20 nuclear reactors in India generating approximately 4,780 MW from six nuclear power plants. There are seven more reactors, which are under construction that could add 5,300 MW.
India also has an ambitious plan of generating 63,000 MW from nuclear power by the turn of 2032. However, protests from the public following a tragedy in Japan a couple of years back have raised doubts about accomplishing this target. For instance, the West Bengal government is not ready to give its permission for 6000 MW power plant close to Haripur and has in fact refused permission. There are protests against Kudankulam power plant as well as Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project in Maharashtra.
Though the Indian reactors capacity factor increased to 79 percent in 2011 – 12 from 71 percent in the preceding year, there are still some issues that nuclear companies are having. For instance, there is an agreement for buying 10,000 MW from the U.S. However, there seems to be not much of a progress on this front due to liability clause discouraging the nuclear companies.
India’s nuclear liability law provides accident victims the opportunity to seek compensation from the nuclear companies in case of any mishap. This seemed to have prevented companies like General Electric from entering the nuclear power sector in India.
Given the public outcry in the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984 and the recent tragedy in Japan, it is unlikely that India will alter the liability clause. Therefore, the current court order will not likely encourage more nuclear companies to venture into India. However, the verdict should be a big boost for the ongoing nuclear power projects.
To contact the author, e-mail: rchandrasekaran@americanbazaaronline.com