Nuclear Energy is the power source of the future

Introduction:
The advancement of Nuclear Energy in a carbon constrained world is today’s global initiative
which has to be realised in the near future. As a developing nation we need energy to support
our future industrial & domestic needs while decreasing carbon emissions to address climate
change and this has to be realised by promoting a clean and safer energy. Although it seems
like nuclear energy could be the ground breaking solution for our growing energy demands
but there are growing concerns for the safer implementation of the nuclear power projects.

Growth in the world's population and economy, coupled with rapid urbanisation, will result in
a substantial increase in energy demand over the coming years. The United Nations (UN)
estimates that the world's population will grow from 7.6 billion in 2017 to 9.8 billion by
2050. The challenge of meeting rapidly growing energy demand, whilst reducing harmful
emissions of greenhouse gases, is very significant and proving challenging.

While nuclear fission is already providing approximately 12 percent of power generation

worldwide, progress towards expansion has been stymied by several factors. There are
substantial capital costs and regulatory hurdles associated with contemporary reactor designs
but serious accidents have exacerbated concerns about plant safety in spite of the industry’s
robust safety record and questions regarding waste proliferation continue to temper the
public’s enthusiasm for nuclear energy.

Kundankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) – A Case Study

The Origin
On 20th of November, 1989, a deal was signed between the Soviet Premier Mikhail
Gorbachev and the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, for the construction of two
nuclear power plants at Kundankulam. But due to several factors from political and economic
crisis the project has been put on hold. In 2007, MOU was signed between India and Russia
and when Russian president Vladimir Putin visited India he had discussion with PM
Manmohan Singh and both countries have planned to promote the use of nuclear energy to
certain heights.

KKNPP triggered India’s largest anti nuclear protest

Inspired by the ideals of German Greens and their leader Petra Kelly, it was a Green Party
launched by Udayakumar in the early 2000s had eventually embraced the cause of
Kundankulam villagers and their movements against KKNP.

Concerns of the people:

The construction of the Kundankulam nuclear plant in Tamil Nadu has been very contentious,
particularly after the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011.
Sources of conflict:
 Nuclear waste storage
 Land acquisition conflicts
 Landfills, toxic waste treatment
 Uncontrolled dump sites near Nuclear power plants

Demerits of having a nuclear power plant near the homes of locals:

More than 1 million people live within the 30 km radius of the KNPP which far exceeds the
AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) stipulations. It is quite impossible to evacuate this
many people quickly and efficiently in case of a nuclear disaster at Kundankulam like the one
at Fukushima, Japan.

The coolant water and low-grade waste from the KNPP are going to be dumped in to the sea
which will have a severe impact on fish production and catch. Consumers are sceptical about
the marine food being contaminated because of nuclear radiation from the nuclear power
plant. This will undermine the fishing industry, push the fisher folk into deeper poverty and
misery and affect the food security of the entire southern Tamil Nadu and southern Kerala.

Possible Solutions to the problems:

There are several pathways for conflict response like

 Compensation for relocation - Those who are displaced by the project and who have
not been adequately compensated need to be compensated adequately.
 The fishermen who have apprehensions about the possibility of radiation getting into
the fish are pure propaganda made by some people who need the support of these
fishermen to make their agitation stronger. It is totally a myth that radiation is being
let into the sea. The radiation is associated with the fuel and it is always intact within
the reactors. So, the fishermen need to have no apprehensions whatsoever with regard
to their fishing rights or the radiation getting into the fish.
 New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study
 Strengthening of participation
-Address the public discontent genuinely
-Serious dialogue between the multiple stakeholders
-Revisiting legal provisions
-Public participation should be strengthened
-Proper public hearing and environmental assessment report should be made public

 Development of alternatives and relying on other sources of clean and more safe
energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal etc.
Experts’ Opinions:

Mr. R. Chidambaram, Centre Principal Scientific Adviser, KNPP

"The reactors at Kundankulam are very safe. Our scientists have looked at all safety aspects
of the project and ensured it is a very safe reactor. So they hope all opposition against it will
be over and the project will come up in due course”. Stating that nuclear power was an
inevitable option to meet India's energy needs, he said the plant on being commissioned,
would add 2,000 MW power to the national grid. "Large developing countries have to look at
all sources of power. To my mind, nuclear energy is an inevitable option for satisfying India's
energy needs," he said.

Mr. M. R. Srinivasan, former Chairman and current member of Atomic Energy

Commission

The Kundankulam nuclear power plant belongs to 3rd generation of design Evolution and
Fukushima reactors belong to 1st generation design.

Late Mr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of India & Scientist

The plant is safe in all aspects. There is no need to worry about the safety aspect of the plant,
as it is in a low frequency seismic zone. There is also no threat of a tsunami as the plant is
1,300 km away from the seismic centre point. Besides, the plant is 13.5 metres above sea
level,” he said.

Conclusion
Several protests by public and statements from Central government and state political parties
are being raised as an issue to find an opt solution. The government should be in a position to
think about the situation of the people. There are several ways to generate power and the
government should not build up these types of plants as it threatens the life of the people and
creates disaster.

Moreover, with several campaigns and programs conducted in the public, knowledge about
power plant, its importance and safety measures can be conveyed and educating the people
will let both public and government to have an end towards the issue. The public can also
realize the practicality of the project and its necessity for the nation before blindly opposing
it.