1000 MW Kadankulam nuclear Plant to be delayed further

[Safriz]

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board reviewing safety aspects of Kudankulam nuclear plant Sunday, Jun 16, 2013, 12:36 IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI On May 6, the Supreme Court had spelt out 15 directions on ensuring safety at the
nuclear facility as well as handling of spent fuel among others. - DNA India's nuclear regulator is carrying out a thorough review of the first unit of the much-delayed Kudankulam atomic power plant as
directed by the Supreme Court last month. "We are reviewing the safety aspects of Unit 1 at Kudankulam as directed by the Supreme Court," an AERB official said. On May 6, the Supreme Court had cleared hurdles in commissioning of the first 1,000 MW
nuclear power plant of the Indo-Russian project, saying the safety and security
requirements have been taken care of. At the same time, it spelt out 15 directions on ensuring safety at the nuclear facility as
well as handling of spent fuel among others. The apex court had ruled that the plant should not be made operational unless the
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL)
and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) accord final clearance for commissioning of
the unit "ensuring the quality of various components and systems because their
reliability is of vital importance." Officials said most of the safety features of the plant were found to be satisfactory
during the ongoing review process and the regulator was leaving no stone unturned to
ensure that the apex court directions were fully met with. They said the AERB would grant clearance for first approach to criticality only after
ensuring that NPCIL has adhered to all the safety measures incorporated in the plant. The apex court directions include compliance of all the conditions set by the AERB and
the Ministry of Environment and Forests by the NPCIL. It also asked the NPCIL and AERB to maintain constant vigil and carry out inspection of
the plant at least once in three months and rectify forthwith defects, if any. Some other court directions include sending of periodic reports by NPCIL regarding the
functioning of the plant to AERB, ensuring that the radioactive discharges do not cross
the limits prescribed by regulatory bodies, steps to implement disaster management
guidelines and carrying out emergency exercises both on site and off site. The court had also asked the nuclear establishment to ensure safe management of the
spent fuel and set up a Deep Geological Repository at the earliest to address the
concerns of the people regarding storage of spent fuel. Meanwhile, NPCIL, the nuclear power operator, has pushed the commissioning of the
first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project to July. The first unit was earlier
scheduled to be commissioned late this month. The project has missed several deadlines since December last year, when it was
scheduled to be commissioned after government managed to overcome the months-
long protests and demonstrations in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear accident in
2011. The NPCIL website states that physical progress of upto 99.67% has been achieved for
the first unit at KNPP. The second unit has achieved a physical progress of 94.52% and was expected to be
commissioned in March next year, it said.

 

[Parul]

AERB reviewing safety aspects of Kudankulam nuclear plant


NEW DELHI: India's nuclear regulator is carrying out a thorough review of the first unit of the much-delayed Kudankulam atomic power plant as directed by the Supreme Court last month.

"We are reviewing the safety aspects of Unit 1 at Kudankulam as directed by the Supreme Court," an AERB official said.

On May 6, the Supreme Court had cleared hurdles in commissioning of the first 1,000 MW nuclear power plant of the Indo-Russian project, saying the safety and security requirements have been taken care of.

At the same time, it spelt out 15 directions on ensuring safety at the nuclear facility as well as handling of spent fuel among others.

The apex court had ruled that the plant should not be made operational unless the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and the Department of Atomic Energy ( DAE) accord final clearance for commissioning of the unit "ensuring the quality of various components and systems because their reliability is of vital importance."

Officials said most of the safety features of the plant were found to be satisfactory during the ongoing review process and the regulator was leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the apex court directions were fully met with.

They said the AERB would grant clearance for first approach to criticality only after ensuring that NPCIL has adhered to all the safety measures incorporated in the plant.

The apex court directions include compliance of all the conditions set by the AERB and the Ministry of Environment and Forests by the NPCIL.

It also asked the NPCIL and AERB to maintain constant vigil and carry out inspection of the plant at least once in three months and rectify forthwith defects, if any.

Some other court directions include sending of periodic reports by NPCIL regarding the functioning of the plant to AERB, ensuring that the radioactive discharges do not cross the limits prescribed by regulatory bodies, steps to implement disaster management guidelines and carrying out emergency exercises both on site and off site.

The court had also asked the nuclear establishment to ensure safe management of the spent fuel and set up a Deep Geological Repository at the earliest to address the concerns of the people regarding storage of spent fuel.

Meanwhile, NPCIL, the nuclear power operator, has pushed the commissioning of the first unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project to July. The first unit was earlier scheduled to be commissioned late this month.

The project has missed several deadlines since December last year, when it was scheduled to be commissioned after government managed to overcome the months-long protests and demonstrations in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011.

The NPCIL website states that physical progress of upto 99.67 per cent has been achieved for the first unit at KNPP.

The second unit has achieved a physical progress of 94.52 per cent and was expected to be commissioned in March next year, it said.


AERB reviewing safety aspects of Kudankulam nuclear plant - The Economic Times

 

[kbd-raaf]

Firstly it is a 10000MW plant not 1000MW.

That's 10^4MW as opposed to 10^3.

Thank you.

 

[Abingdonboy]

I don't understand why the GoI is going to such extreme measures to shut up a few fvckers who are being paid by foreigners.


A few weeks/months delay is no biggie.

 

[Agnostic_Indian]

I don't understand why the GoI is going to such extreme measures to shut up a few fvckers who are being paid by foreigners.


A few weeks/months delay is no biggie.

If there is a concern over safety and quality of the plant what's wrong in doing a quality check and then start operating.one or two months delay is nothing against and assurance we get from through inspection.

 

[Sashan]

I don't understand why the GoI is going to such extreme measures to shut up a few fvckers who are being paid by foreigners.


A few weeks/months delay is no biggie.

It is not an easy situation over there. Spoke to someone living in US but who belong to that area. There are many people beyond those active mfos who are concerned due to the size of the plant. They are concerned that this is the first large sized plant in India. All these translate into vote bank politics as amma is eyeing the next year Lok Sabha elections. Though she has thrown her weight for the Kudankulam she wants to ensure that all the fringe elements outside of the core group are satisfied. And he mentioned once the fringe elements are happy, it is a matter of time she will take care of the core group.

 

[Abingdonboy]

If there is a concern over safety and quality of the plant what's wrong in doing a quality check and then start operating.one or two months delay is nothing against and assurance we get from through inspection.

I agree bro but it seems that every time this plant passes one series of inspections, new doubts are raised and it must undergo further scrutiny. Given the controversy that has surrounded this plant one can't help but feel the are linked.

Anyway, like you say, what's a few months?

 

[Sashan]

If there is a concern over safety and quality of the plant what's wrong in doing a quality check and then start operating.one or two months delay is nothing against and assurance we get from through inspection.

The issue is the delay of few months is costing Tamilnadu and surrounding states drastically. Tamilnadu is having major power shortage and likewise Andhra. And it is affecting the manufacturing in TN bigtime. For example, industries in Coimbatore especially the auxillary ones feeding into the major industries are suffering due to power shortage due to exorbitant cost of manufacturing due to using generators. The major banks have approached RBI to allow them to be flexible with restructuring of loans for these auxillary industries to tide off the power crisis. Many industries are planning for a shift to Gujarat.

So a quick resolution and commissioning will help the situation here.

 

[Iggy]

Guys what about the news of Russia supplying low quality materials for this plant? I think let them inspect.. Its better late than sorry..The electricity produced from this plant will be a great boon not only to TN but also to neighboring states too..

 

[Agnostic_Indian]

The issue is the delay of few months is costing Tamilnadu and surrounding states drastically. Tamilnadu is having major power shortage and likewise Andhra. And it is affecting the manufacturing in TN bigtime. For example, industries in Coimbatore especially the auxillary ones feeding into the major industries are suffering due to power shortage due to exorbitant cost of manufacturing due to using generators. The major banks have approached RBI to allow them to be flexible with restructuring of loans for these auxillary industries to tide off the power crisis. Many industries are planning for a shift to Gujarat.

So a quick resolution and commissioning will help the situation here.

two three months period is peanuts compared to the time we taken to construct the plant and the assurance and the correction and improvements (if necessary) we get from security check up, totally worth waiting.

 

[surya kiran]

Firstly it is a 10000MW plant not 1000MW.

That's 10^4MW as opposed to 10^3.

Thank you.

The first unit of the plant is 1000 MWe which is what has got delayed.
http://www.npcil.nic.in/main/ConstructionDetail.aspx?ReactorID=77

 

[Abingdonboy]

The issue is the delay of few months is costing Tamilnadu and surrounding states drastically. Tamilnadu is having major power shortage and likewise Andhra. And it is affecting the manufacturing in TN bigtime. For example, industries in Coimbatore especially the auxillary ones feeding into the major industries are suffering due to power shortage due to exorbitant cost of manufacturing due to using generators. The major banks have approached RBI to allow them to be flexible with restructuring of loans for these auxillary industries to tide off the power crisis. Many industries are planning for a shift to Gujarat.

So a quick resolution and commissioning will help the situation here.

Guys what about the news of Russia supplying low quality materials for this plant? I think let them inspect.. Its better late than sorry..The electricity produced from this plant will be a great boon not only to TN but also to neighboring states too..

AFAIK southern states like TN are set to be "plugged in" to the Indian national grid sometime next year meaning surpluses in any state can be transferred to some of the states with deficits. As such this plant would not only ease TN's power woes but many other states in India.

 

[Bhai Zakir]

Sabar ka phal, meetha hota hai

 

[surya kiran]

AFAIK southern states like TN are set to be "plugged in" to the Indian national grid sometime next year meaning surpluses in any state can be transferred to some of the states with deficits. As such this plant would not only ease TN's power woes but many other states in India.

It is not that simple. There are agreements to be signed before any 'distribution' happens. For e.g when the power project started, neither Karnataka nor AP showed any interest in the plant. Hence the agreement was between TN and Kerala to receive 50% and 30% respectively. Now, when they see the power plant coming online they suddenly want power from here. Now, if they have to get power it will have be from one of these 2 states. This will mean agreement with either state or a change in the original power distribution agreement.

TN, will not let go. It desperately needs power and has a huge manufacturing base which can be made to grow further. Also, with it slowly emerging as the textile hub and automotive hub, it can offer power at lower rates than other states for setting up projects. No way, hence, TN will give its share away. Then there is the case of Kerala. Now, there is load shedding in Kerala also, which will need to be plugged. Post this, they also want to push Kerala as a services hub. Again, made possible by giving sops. Lower tariffs also win elections. Not to forget the free power which will definitely be distributed to people in agriculture. And both states will want to get this advantage also.

If kerala, has to give up, they will ask for a price, which will need to be paid to it for giving up its share. So, while technically plugging into the grid may seem simple, its not practically that simple .

 

[Sashan]

It is not that simple. There are agreements to be signed before any 'distribution' happens. For e.g when the power project started, neither Karnataka nor AP showed any interest in the plant. Hence the agreement was between TN and Kerala to receive 50% and 30% respectively. Now, when they see the power plant coming online they suddenly want power from here. Now, if they have to get power it will have be from one of these 2 states. This will mean agreement with either state or a change in the original power distribution agreement.

TN, will not let go. It desperately needs power and has a huge manufacturing base which can be made to grow further. Also, with it slowly emerging as the textile hub and automotive hub, it can offer power at lower rates than other states for setting up projects. No way, hence, TN will give its share away. Then there is the case of Kerala. Now, there is load shedding in Kerala also, which will need to be plugged. Post this, they also want to push Kerala as a services hub. Again, made possible by giving sops. Lower tariffs also win elections. Not to forget the free power which will definitely be distributed to people in agriculture. And both states will want to get this advantage also.

If kerala, has to give up, they will ask for a price, which will need to be paid to it for giving up its share. So, while technically plugging into the grid may seem simple, its not practically that simple .

The share is not 50% to TN and 30% to Kerala - Here is the split.


Out of the 2,000 MWe to be generated from the two reactors at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu’s share will be 925 MWe. Karnataka will receive 442 MWe, Kerala 266 MWe, Puducherry 67 MWe and the unallocated share is 300 MWe.


First unit of Kudankulam plant undergoing tests | The Hindu

two three months period is peanuts compared to the time we taken to construct the plant and the assurance and the correction and improvements (if necessary) we get from security check up, totally worth waiting.

Two to three months can be the last straw on Camel's back - The TN power crisis became a major issue 2 years ago(not when the project was envisioned) and the news I quoted about Coimbatore appeared in Rediff some 6 months ago.