Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Koodankulam Nuclear Power (Radiation?) Station



We are aware of the painful fact that Tamil Nadu is facing serious power shortage. 

Daily Need:              12000+ MW
Generation:            ~8500 MW
Shortage:                  ~3500 MW
Do we have a remedy???
“Yes” says the Indian Government. They sincerely recommend/advise (and forcefully say)
 “This gap can be filled if koodankulam nuclear power plant starts to operate”.

But few guys out there keep shouting n screaming that this is Absurd, Atrocious and it will ruin their fisheries and all their natural resources.
Well can we do something abt it? May be with little effort we can understand the crisis at least…
 Let’s not sit idle contemplating whether to believe those Protestants out there or to completely trust our sweet Indian Govt.
Btw it’s our duty as well!! In the next few paragraphs I’ve briefed on the pros n cons of this project based on some data I gathered (little bit of research indeed J)

Here we go…

Koodankulam project has the capacity to generate 2000MW of power.
As per Indian Government’s electrical power sharing policy: “The state which generates electricity will get a share of 30% of its power generation output (and 100% of atomic radiation free of cost ironically).
30% of 2000 MW = 600 MW (After transmission loss, we will get approximately 405 MW)
Once the koodankulam starts to operate, TN will get only 600MW from it. So now the shortage will reduce to 3500 – 600 = 2900 MW (sounds a good number?!?!?! naey…)
However, the TN/Central Govt doesn’t seem to have any plan to cover this shortage of 2900MW (very smart huh…)
Q1: Is nuclear power cheaper?
Each one of us believes that nuclear power generation cost is very low. Of course it is low. However, the safe disposal of nuclear waste is very expensive. “How long would they safely dispose the nuclear wastage?”  It is possible that they could dispose without proper treatment in a portion. The fishermen around Koodankulam strongly believe that it could affect the fisheries along the coast around koodankulam, kanyakumari and the surrounding areas. Even the mighty USA do not have correct procedure to dispose the nuclear wastage. These nuclear wastages could cause radiations for many years.
Koodankulam power station installation required Rs.20000 Crores. Recently TN chief minister has announced a plan for Udangudi Thermal power station (2000MW) at Rs. 8000 crore.
For power generation of 2000 MW à Rs.20000 Crores (thro Nuclear reactors out of which TN receives only 600 MW)
For power generation of 2000MW à Rs.8000 Crores (thro thermal power station)
It’s clearly evident that nuclear power generation is extremely expensive?
Q2: How can we abolish this scheme even after a humongous investment?
At this point, we should remember another scheme/project which is withdrawn by central government to save fisheries, other sea organisms and the oceanic environment between TN and Srilanka (Due to the opposition of TN Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalitha and Mr. Subramania Swamy). Yes it’s our very old Sethu Samuthiram Project. This project can hugely improve the livelihood as well as the economy of South Tamilnadu. Since the project has been halted, the ultimate beneficiary is Colombo.
Q3: Is there any relation between PMANE and US backed NGOs?
Definitely No.
US has helped or allowed India to use nuclear power. Still they are supporting India to operate nuclear power stations. Indian Government with the help of some cheap news dailies has tried in many ways to stop this protest. They have used caste and religion as a major weapon. It did not work out even in these southern districts which were once very famous for community based clashes.
So now they’ve came up with another weapon “foreign funds (US funds)”. Since it is a major economic development for India, PM should have condemned US ambassador for India rather than passing such rubbish comments.In fact Australia, the big ally of US is keen to supply uranium to India. It is a very good business for them.
Q4: Why is that the arch rival BJP supporting?
The nuclear bill has been passed through loads of bribery per news dailies. BJP is faithful for whatever they have received or whatever they are going to receive.
Q5: How can we fill the gap between power generation and demand?
This gap can be filled by reducing the power loss. In TN it is around 18%. This can be brought fewer than 10% by taking effective measures.
The power loss is less than 10% in all the developed countries. In India, the power transmission loss accounts for 40% of total generation. In addition to it India should concentrate on solar energy and wind power.
Please take a look at the below statistics for a better picture on solar and wind power resources in India.

   

World Power Chart:
Source
Power
Nuclear (450 Reactors)
3789 TW
Renewable Resources (Wind, Solar, Hydel)
3855 TW
Fossil Fuels
13675 TW



Striking Facts:
  • ·         Russia does not have any nuclear reactors installed in its territory.
  • ·         Japan has planned/pledged not to use nuclear power stations.
  • ·         After 1979, US have not started any new nuclear power stations.
  • ·         Even in China, people are protesting against nuclear power stations.
  • ·         Australia does not have nuclear reactors even though it has 40% of world’s uranium resource.


India has signed agreement to install nuclear reactors with US, France and Russia:

8 nuclear reactors of US have been planned in Maharashtra.
8 nuclear reactors of France have been planned in West Bengal.
8 nuclear reactors of Russia have been planned in Kerala.

Maharashtra and West Bengal people have destroyed such a plan. [#5] But Kerala has diverted it to Koodankulam. 

If Tamilians are opposing, they are being treated as terrorists.

DMK is supporting the koodankulam project since they are allies and have done a lot of goodies to India especially in 2G, etc.

Similar to koodankulam power project, there is one more dangerous factory functioning in Thoothukudi. This was actually planned to function in Udaipur district. Due to the locals protest, it has been moved to Thoothukudi and it has affected the rainfall considerably. 

The state of TN (especially southern districts of TN) is targeted for hazardous projects which are rejected by other states. 

Good schemes such as Nanguneri Hi-Tech park has been cancelled. 

Lets give a clean earth (India) to our next generation!

  
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