NEW DELHI: Kerala can get a nuclear power station if the state provides land for the purpose, according to a suggestion made during a recent high-level meeting between Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar and state power minister K Krishnankutty.
Union minister Khattar “asked the state to support in identifying the land site and for allocation of land for a nuclear power project” while reviewing the power sector scenario for the state in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Union minister of state for MoPNG and tourism Suresh Gopi and Krishnankutty were present at the meeting. It was also attended by senior officials from the state govt, central govt and Power Finance Corporation.
The issues related to demand and supply of power, capacity addition, including possibilities in the renewable, hydro and nuclear sector, and power distribution sector were discussed. The Kerala minister thanked the Centre for allocation of coal linkage for 500 MW, viability gap funding support for battery energy storage system for Rs 135 crore, and for allocation of power from NTPC Barh up to March 2025.
Krishnankutty also requested for additional allocation of power from NTPC Barh (central generating plants) and for extension in time for allocation of power from the plant for up to June 2025.
A nuclear power station can be set up only by the central govt or a govt company in accordance with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act. NPCIL & BHAVINI are the two govt companies authorised to set up nuclear power stations in India.
Nuclear power is the fourth-largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources of electricity. The country at present has 22 nuclear reactors in operation in seven nuclear power plants, having an installed capacity of 6780 MW. Among these, 18 reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and four are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
The central govt has an ambitious plan to reach a nuclear power capacity of 63,000 MW in 2032.