Green signal for Koodankulam nuclear power plant

| by N.S.Venkataraman

Better late than never

( March 21, 2012, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister should be congratulated for finally giving consent to the commissioning of Koodankulam nuclear power plant, after giving an impression that she was sympathetic to the anti nuclear protestors.

Koodankulam nuclear ( File Photo)

Technically , this is a central government project which has already received the environmental and other clearance from authorities and it does not require the consent of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. However, in practical terms, no central government project can be implemented in any state, if the concerned state government would oppose the move. It is a case of better late than never in Tamil Nadu.

Obviously, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has realised finally that there is no alternative for Tamil Nadu other than commissioning the Koodankulam nuclear plant. As a matter of fact, given the precarious power situation in the state and the fact that Tamil Nadu does not have coal or oil or natural gas resources, Tamil Nadu has to set up several nuclear power projects to meet its power requirements in future.

Considering the present supply gap of around 2500 MW and the likely increase in power requirement of around 700 to 800 MW every year in the coming years and the fact that there would be 20% transmission loss, Tamil Nadu should implement power projects of total capacity of around 7500 MW by 2017. Considering the investment of Rs. 7 to 8 crores for one megawatt of power, there is need for total investment of around 60,000 crores by 2017 in setting up new power projects.

The nuclear power project would supply power at the cost of around Rs.3.50 per unit which cannot be expected from any other source of power and the nuclear power project is the only option for Tami Nadu. The non conventional energy such as solar / wind etc. cannot be a substitute considering the power needs. Further, nuclear power gives clean energy.

Tamil Nadu government should ask the Government of India to commission the second phase of Koodankulam plant also as early as possible and set up at least another 3000 MW of nuclear power projects in the next three years in the state.