Monday 20 February 2012

Use coal or gas at Koodankulam’

Having been invited to be part of the ‘Expert Group’ formed by those opposing the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant, I thought I must put forth my views.

I believe that KKNPP is caught in a web of controversies, all man-made. The way Government of India, PMO, Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Power Corporation are handling the matter is at best amateurish and at worst arrogant. I am of the view that the issue should be approached in a holistic manner and not by pitting pro and anti-nuclear people against each other.

The latest to enter the fray is former President A P J Abdul Kalam with his total commitment to nuclear energy and his 10-point Koodankulam PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) proposal. He has now emerged as the rallying point for the counter-protestors who are gathering strength and media is also increasingly taking pro-nuclear stance. I believe it is time the protestors should advocate alternatives instead of endlessly repeating what they have been saying.

In this matter, I have the following suggestions to make for arriving at a viable action plan, wherein people’s fear could be assuaged and more than adequate power could be generated in the very area where the nuclear plant is located:

1. KKNPP has not yet gone critical, meaning fuel has not been loaded and fired. Central Government should therefore seriously consider fuel-switching from nuclear to coal or gas.

According to energy experts, this is very much feasible. Only that the reactor need to be replaced by boiler and if necessary have a turbine also. Some port/logistic work would also be needed to bring coal/gas. These would no doubt entail some additional cost and time. But it is worth it.

2. The nearby areas comprising Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts have large wind farms with installed capacity of about 4,000 MW. When these were installed, 1 MW power generation required 4 acres of land. Now, with latest technology, the requirement is just 1 acre for 1 MW. By adopting modern technology, large amount of land used for wind mills could be released and solar power projects that could generate up to 2,000 MW power could be set up there.

3. Being dry and arid, the area is suitable for large scale ‘energy plantations’ and biomass-based power plants could be installed.

4. All the three - wind, solar, biomass - combined can provide hybrid-power which can be drawn for 24 hours and combined with fuel switching of KNPP there will be enough and more power to satisfy the needs of Tamil Nadu and even export to other states. Energy efficiency and conservation could be added to this holistic package. This could bring prosperity and boom to the local economy and PURA would take place on its own without depending on government mercy.

This calls for sincere and war-like efforts by TN state government, duly supported by the Central Government and institutions.

Government of India should approach this sensitive but explosive issue with a open mind and not a cloistered ‘nuclear-power  only’ mindset by fielding heavyweights like A P J for crushing the anti-nuclear protests
Retired IAS officer and ex-chairman of Haryana State Electricity Board

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