Mega Power Projects & Associated projects in Tamil Nadu.

[karkal]

Centre hopeful of commissioning Koodankulam soon news

http://www.domain-b.com/industry/pow...m_oneView.html

With the Tamil Nadu government under pressure to ease the acute power situation, the centre today hoped that it would be able to commission the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project "very soon", with the state government being "very very positive" to the plant opening.

"My hunch is that Tamil Nadu government will take a decision as early as possible" on the project, work on which has come to a standstill for many months following protests from locals, spearheaded by People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), minister of state in the PMO V Narayanasamy told reporters in Chennai.

He said the state government was taking a positive approach and was cooperating with the centre as the law and order issue was a state subject. He added there was regular interaction between central and state government officials.

Denying any "double-game" by the Tamil Nadu government he said, the state was aware that it needed power and assured to provide 1000 MW of the energy from Koodankulam plant though its original share was 925 MW.

Narayanasamy's remarks assume significance against the backdrop of the state government appointed panel going into the safety aspects last month and giving the project a clean chit.

Earlier the 15-member expert panel team from the centre set up to allay the fears of the locals had vouched for the safety of the Indo-Russian project, where work on the first two units to produce 2000 MW of power had been almost completed.

The Tamil Nadu government, yesterday sent its additional director general of police (law and order) S George and other police top brass to assess the law and order situation.

According to Narayansamy, by preventing scientists and employees from entering the plant, the protestors were taking the law into their hands, adding that the police had filed 150-odd cases against them.

Regarding the deportation of German national Sonnteg Reiner Hermann on the grounds that he participated in anti-KNPP protests, Narayanasamy said a probe was on. He added, a site map of the project besides some local contacts were found from the electronic gadgets in his possession (See: German 'tourist' deported over TN anti-nuclear protests).

Meanwhile, in a public interest initiative, the Velammal Educational Trust has roped in hundreds of school students to act as 'ambassadors' for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and garner support for commissioning of the project at the earliest.

With the explanation of advanced safety features being incorporated in the nuclear plant to students, a movement to mobilise public opinion in a big way got under way in Madurai yesterday.

Senior officials from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant spoke to students to create awareness among them at the two-day Nuclear Energy Educational Meet (NEEM-2012) at the Velammal College of Engineering and Technology on 2 and 3 March.

The students were made to realise the acute power shortage in the state and how a 2,000-MW nuclear power plant, which was ready, could not be commissioned due to ''vested interests and selfish individuals.'' An appeal was made to send telegrams to the chief minister demanding that the KKNPP be commissioned immediately.

R S Sundar, station director, KKNPP explained the advanced safety systems installed in the plant and how the plant could withstand an earthquake or tsunami, as also its radiation proof design to students of various schools.

After all the state's negotiations looks like we got only 1000 MW instead of 925 MW out of 2000 MW. Only thing we achieved is we are going to get it before other states. Looks like CG is still playing hard on negotiations.

[karkal]

The 6,000-Mw question : For parallel expert panels of govt, NGOs in Kudankulam, there is no middle path on nuclear question

A Muthunayagam, a former space scientist with Indian Space Research Organisation, grew up in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. His grandparents and other relatives still live in the area near Kudankulam. He headed the expert panel set up by the Centre to allay fears of the people about the 2X1,000-Mw nuclear power plant to be commissioned there.

M G Devanayagam, a former IAS officer who spent most of his career in the power sector in various states and is also from Nagercoil, heads the parallel expert panel set up by activists in Kudankulam opposing the nuclear plant. The plant aspires to produce 6,000 Mw in the future, provided clearances are given.

The two men know each other and respect each other. But they stand divided on the issue of how safe is a nuclear energy plant in their hometown, or anywhere for that matter. In fact, the expert panel of the government refused to meet the parallel panel. Speaking with the two men as well as their friends is an experience close to what could be like near the Tower of Babel.

The question before the government, which is keen to see the two 1,000-Mw nuclear plants work out, is whether the plant is safe for the local population; whether it will not kill fishes in the sea there — leaving the fishermen jobless; whether it will not lead to radiation-related side effects, resulting in deformed babies, etc, if not a full-scale catastrophe of the kind seen in Fukushima.

There are many more questions that the people and the non-governmental organisations are not asking. For instance, what has been the impact of the existing nuclear power plants on the locals in Kaiga, Tarapur or Kalpakkam? Are people getting diseases? Are deformities being reported? What has been the level of compliance by the plant management there?

Devanayagam says reports are available on side effects caused due to radiation. However, protests are not based on these reports, but a firm belief of leaders that nuclear energy should be avoided at all cost. And, last year’s decision of the expert committee by the Centre, led by Muthunayakam, is based on an exact opposite belief.

Says Muthunayagam, “We gave three reports and we concluded that the plant was absolutely safe for the people, fishes and the water. All questions were addressed.”

The main argument of the NGOs is that the site selection itself has been faulty, as the soil is lime and not stable. Since the place is located near the Tsunami area, it is considered unsafe, too. Another argument is that the environment impact assessment report was done as early as 1988 when no norms were in place, and it does not take into account developments in the place, including tsunami.

Third, there is no fresh water source and the plant would depend on a desalination route for regular cooling needs, which, Devanayagam says, is unreliable. The opponents also say the water released back into the sea would be warmer than the sea water and would drive away fishes.

As for the history of the existing plants, Devanayagam says it is futile to compare these with Kudankulam, as the former are low capacity. The total capacity of all plants in the country is only 4,750 Mw, while Kudankulam was planned to have six plants of 1,000 Mw each, till former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh declined clearance to four of the reactors.

As for power for Tamil Nadu, a 1,000-Mw reactor would have a generation capacity of just 650 Mw, of which the state’s share would be 240 Mw after leakages.

Muthunayagam dismisses this and says fishes have survived in Kalpakkam. Besides, the government has a criterion for the temperature at which water is released from plants. So, no one is going to release hot water into the sea.

But, the big question is how compliant are nuclear or thermal power plants with government rules? And, whose self interest is a greater sin or virtue — those who want nuclear energy or those who don’t want it?

[venkatm]

what nonsense is this. 1000 MW is electrical not thermal output. And why would there be 60% loss?

[krishnaswamy]

கூடங்குளம் மக்களின் அச்சத்தைப் போக்க வரும் பிரசார வீடியோ படம் 'திருவாளர் முத்து'!

சென்னை: கூடங்குளம் அணு மின் நிலையம் குறித்த மக்களின் அச்சத்தையும், சந்தேகங்களையும் போக்கும் வகையில் திருவாளர் முத்து என்ற பெயரில் புதிய விளக்க பிரசார வீடியோ படத்தை தேசிய அணு சக்தி கழகம் உருவாக்கியுள்ளது. இதை, தமிழ் தவிர மேலும் பல மொழிகளிலும் மொழியாக்கம் செய்து வெளியிட்டுள்ளனர்.

கூடங்குளம் அணு மின் நிலையம் குறித்த மக்களின் அச்சத்தைப் போக்கும் வகையில் பல்வேறு நடவடிக்கைகளை தேசிய அணு சக்தி கழகம் எடுத்து வருகிறது. அதன் ஒரு பகுதியாக இந்த திருவாளர் முத்து விளக்கப் படம் வெளியாகியுள்ளது.

இது ஒரு கார்ட்டூன் படமாகும். கூடங்குளம் அணு மின் நிலையத்தின் சாதகங்கள் குறித்து இந்த கார்ட்டூன் முத்து எளிய கிராமப்புற பேச்சின் மூலம் விளக்குகிறார்.

இதுகுறித்து தேசிய அணு சக்தி கழக செயல் இயக்குநர் நாகையா கூறுகையில், மக்கள் நலனையும், நாட்டின் வளர்ச்சியையும் கருத்தில் கொண்டே அணு மின் உற்பத்திக்கு முன்னுரிமை கொடுக்கப்படுகிறது. மக்களின் கனவுகளையும், நாட்டின் ஒட்டுமொத்த வளர்ச்சிக்கும் நாங்கள் முன்னுரிமை தருகிறோம்.

அணு மின் சக்தி உற்பத்தி தொடர்பான மக்களின் சந்தேங்களுக்கு விளக்கம் தர வேண்டியது எங்களது கடமை. அவர்களின் அச்சத்தையும், சந்தேகங்களையும் நாங்கள் நிராகரிக்கவில்லை,மதிக்கிறோம். அவற்றுக்குரிய விளக்கங்களைத் தர எப்போதுமே நாங்கள் தயாராகவே இருக்கிறோம். அதன் ஒரு பகுதிதான் இந்த விளக்கப் படம்.

முத்து என்ற பெயரில் தமிழகத்தில் வெளியான திரைப்படத்தைத் தழுவியே இந்தப் பெயரை நாங்கள் சூட்டினோம். மேலும் தமிழக கிராமங்களில் முத்து என்ற பெயர் மிகவும் பிரபலமானது என்பதால் இந்தப் பெயரை தேர்ந்தெடுத்தோம் என்றார்.

இந்த விளக்கப் படம் தமிழ் தவிர கன்னடம், இந்தி, தெலுங்கு, பெங்காலி, குஜராத்தி ஆகிய மொழிகளிலும் மொழி பெயர்ப்பு செய்யப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. இந்தியில் இப்படத்திற்கு மிஸ்டர் புதியா என்று பெயர் வைத்துள்ளனர்.

இதுதவிர ரேடியோ, டிவி விளம்பரங்கள் மூலமாகவும் அணு சக்தியின் அவசியம் குறித்து பிரசாரம் செய்யப் போகிறதாம் தேசிய அணு சக்தி கழகம்.

[karkal]

English summary

With the Koodankulam row causing differences between the Centre and the state administration, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is making all efforts to curb the negativity surrounding the nuclear plant and plan to do it in style. They have introduced the animated character 'Thiruvalar Muthu' to dispel fears from the mind of the public if the nuclear plant comes into existence.

[Anniyan]

A large posse of police has been deployed in and around Koodankulam to maintain order in the event of the chief minister giving the green signal to the project and the anti-nuke brigade launching fresh protests

Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa has called a cabinet meeting on Monday reportedly to discuss the report submitted by the expert panel that went into safety aspects of Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project.

There is wide expectation CM may give a go-ahead to the plant.

The expert committee has given a clean chit to the project, besides the state badly needs K-power to overcome its unprecedented electricity shortage.

Ministers, most of whom are in Sankarankoil campaigning for the March 18 Assembly bypoll, are rushing to Chennai. Sources said CM might also discuss budget proposals.

The cabinet had adopted a resolution in September last year asking the Centre to stop work at KKNPP until fears of locals are allayed. Following this, the Centre constituted a 14-member expert panel, which visited Koodankulam and submitted a report concluding that the plant would be world-class and absolutely safe.

However, anti-nuke protesters remained adamant that the project be scrapped. They even blocked its maintenance.

To end the impasse, CM appointed a four-member expert committee to look at plant safety afresh. This committee gave its report on February 28 reportedly favouring KKNPP.

The Monday cabinet meet may seek to annul the September resolution, paving the way for resumption of work at the plant.

Anti-nuke campaigners continued protests. About 300 of them marched to the local Pillaiyar temple Sunday carrying pots of milk to seek divine intervention to stop the project.

A large posse of police has been deployed in and around Koodankulam.

Meanwhile, Union minister V. Narayanasamy said in Puducherry TN would get 1,000 MW from the plant once production begins. Another Union minister G.K. Vasan echoed his views in Thanjavur and insisted most TN people wanted the plant.

“The Centre and state must put a full stop to the evil designs of some people to plunge TN into darkness,” he said.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...-set-bloom-300

[krishnaswamy]

Cross Posting from Tuticorin region-thillai Selvan post
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=3621
It states udankudi power plant will be started in 2 months and completed in 4 years. TN govt will share the entire cost of Rs 8000 Cr.
Land acquisition is already completed.

[krp]

Originally Posted by Ramki830

KRP , What makes you think that Government and NPCIL has not taken any measures to address any emergency situation/accident.
And what makes you think that we are not capable of handling accident/emergencies, just because we are a poor third world nation?

Iam all for KKNP opening at the earliest. As told by NPCIL, KKNP has latest tech on nuclear plant and hence better safety guards within the plant premises and its employees.

My concern is the capability of district administrations in the vicinity of KKNP to handle any nuclear emergency that may arise. For example, TVM is the biggest city with 1+ million population within 200km of KKNP site and I dont think the city is equipped even bare minimum to handle a nuclear emergency forget the other smaller towns/villages!! Pls correct me if Iam wrong.

Originally Posted by Ramki830

Trying to say that Koodankulam and Fukushima are identical is like saying that Trivandrum and Tokyo are having same weather, so those in TVM should wear sweaters and jerkins in january !!

Did I say KKNP and Fukushima are identical, pls check my previous postings..

Originally Posted by Ramki830

Given this, you need not feel that Chennai folks are at advantage due to KKNP being away from TVM.

If so, why Kalpakkam was simply not expanded to have 1000MW x 2 instead of choosing a new site at KKNP 600km+ away from Chennai & bordering Kerala? Doesnot it imply that TN/Chennai needs more power but not want mega nuke plants in their backyards?

[Leo_r]

They are building an untested,more dangerous Fast Breeder with Sodium cooling ,500 MW Reactor at Kalpakkam. Have plans for 2 or 3 more such reactors at Kalpakkam..

Don't worry, Gentleman, everything will be alright.

[krishnaswamy]

Originally Posted by Leo_r

They are building an untested,more dangerous Fast Breeder with Sodium cooling ,500 MW Reactor at Kalpakkam. Have plans for 2 or 3 more such reactors at Kalpakkam..

Don't worry, Gentleman, everything will be alright.

Now KRP will be happy since chennai is also in danger..

[Leo_r]

Grid Details:


Total Capacity MWs Morning Peakload met on 05/03/2012


Hydro 2191 535
Thermal 2970 2335
Gas 516 204
IPP 1180 997
Captive PP 214 82
NCE
Cogen336.6+
Biomass77.85 749 396
Wind 6008 0

Central GS

NeyveliTS1 475 480
NTPC(2600) 659
Neyveli TS2(1470) 466
Talcher TS2(2000) 498
MAPS 440 330
KAPS(660) 171

Total 2386 2059

External Assistance

Eastern Region 125 47
SR 50 50
Swap Receipt 8
Purchase thro
IEX,PXIL,GETCO 414

Nett 10237 8029 MW

Load Shedding 2717 MW
Consumption 191.598 Million Units on 04/03/2012

http://tnebldc.org/reports/peakdet.pdf

[Arul Murugan]

Originally Posted by Leo_r

Grid Details:


Total Capacity MWs Morning Peakload met on 05/03/2012


Hydro 2191 535
Wind 6008 0

http://tnebldc.org/reports/peakdet.pdf

thanks...

Looks Hydro and Wind are the main culprit... just 6.5% output from the installed capacity.

[Ramki830]

As expected no decision taken on KKNP by state cabinet. As I (and others said), let us wait till sankarankoil by polls.

I also believe that some harsh steps would be needed and many of the HR champs will not be happy for sure !

[Ramki830]

Times Of India has said that JJ is not interested in hasty decision on KKNP due to fear of Church Lobby.

Which is what I said - JJ does not want a repeat of 2004 and all her decisions are guided by the fear of 2004 LS elections even now.

[Vicvin86]

Originally Posted by karkal

Note: Kaplakkam is not just Civil nuclear plant, it is more than that unlike KKNP which is just a civil nuclear plant.

Some people will never try to understand nor put little effort to know the difference between the two.

[kannan infratech]

guys

Let us stick to only TN power issuea here.

[Vicvin86]

Originally Posted by Arul Murugan

thanks...

Looks Hydro and Wind are the main culprit... just 6.5% output from the installed capacity.

And we have got scientists like Gnani and UK want to experiment solar and something which will be a culprit in few years time.

[Vicvin86]

Originally Posted by krp

If so, why Kalpakkam was simply not expanded to have 1000MW x 2 instead of choosing a new site at KKNP 600km+ away from Chennai & bordering Kerala? Doesnot it imply that TN/Chennai needs more power but not want mega nuke plants in their backyards?

Kalpakkam makes bombs and KKNP is supposed to produce current. If you still think they are identical well nothing more to add.

[calculus_ask]

Why no generation from Wind Mill.. the report from transmission company says no power from wind source..

[Leo_r]

Originally Posted by calculus_ask

Why no generation from Wind Mill.. the report from transmission company says no power from wind source..

Because there is no wind.. South West mansoon normally sets over southern peninsula by June 1 st and will continue till 2 nd week of October. That is the peak wind season.

So for 4 months in a year we will have the benefit of wind power.

'Aadiyila kartadithaal Ippaisyil mazhalai varum' is an old saying.