Efforts to ease scepticism, safety fears

On the heels of the Supreme Court giving a green signal to the Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), setting up the plant, has stepped up efforts to reach out to the locals, explaining the safety features of the project.

NPC is busy carrying out project site development and CSR activities

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s green signal to the Kudankulam nuclear project, those protesting against the proposed 9,900-Mw Jaitapur nuclear project in Maharashtra are gearing to intensify their agitation. NGOs including Raigad Bachao Samiti and Konkan District Jagruk Manch said they will launch the stir afresh to mobilise villagers against the Jaitapur project, raising security concerns. Shiv Sena, the lone political party in Maharashtra opposed to the project, also said a fresh round of agitation will be unleashed soon.

Meeting slated for May 1, makes strong case for hydro to be declared as renewable energy, Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will chair an advisory group on May 1 to discuss the bottlenecks in the development of hydro power projects, falling share of hydro power, delays in environment and forest clearances and high capital costs.
The group, which also includes high-profile private sector players, is expected to make a case for hydro power to be declared renewable energy, by making it obligatory to increase its share to 20 per cent of total generation by the 15th Plan from the present level of 16 per cent.

Experts say the membership will help India procure more fuel and nuclear components

Indian nuclear experts have told Business Standard that it is an opportune time for the country to gain membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG), despite reservations expressed by China and some smaller European states such as Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The experts strongly feel that this would not only help India procure more fuel and nuclear components, but also be an opportunity for the Indian industry to aggressively tap the global market.

Rubbishes reports of losing projects to China in the wake of current political developments

Undeterred by the fluid political developments in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, state-run NTPC said it was going ahead with its projects in those countries. The clarification came after a section of the media reported the company is losing projects to China. NTPC and the Sri Lankan team recently met in New Delhi to discuss changes to the power purchase agreement (PPA) and the implementation agreement for the 2x250 megawatt (Mw) imported coal-based power project at Sampur in Trincomalee district in Lanka.

Winning back confidence in nuclear power after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in March difficult, but will require unwavering commitment to safety

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano said on Monday public awareness was important to ensure nuclear power projects do not face opposition. He acknowledged the concerns and opposition to nuclear power capacity addition. “Public acceptance is also an important issue. I know this has been a concern in India, as in other countries, and that there have been demonstrations against the construction of new nuclear power plants,” Amano said in Mumbai at an event organised by the Indian Nuclear Society.

Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd (NPCIL) has denied allegation by a Sri Lankan interest group that the Kudankulam plant in Tamil Nadu was leaking radiation, and said the phase 1 of the project would be ready soon and power production would start by April-end.

The Sri Lankan group, the People's Movement Against Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, on Saturday alleged that the plant had been leaking radiation since February 27. "There has not been any radiation leakage from the Kudankulam project. Already, the Indian high commission in Sri Lanka as well as the ministry of external affairs have denied the allegation," R S Sundar, Kudankulam project site director, told Business Standard.

With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's announcement on negotiations for a nuclear energy agreement with Britian, companies from that country are expected to initiate talks with Nuclear Power Corporat

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd ( NPCIL) and French conglomerate Areva won’t be able to exchange documents for the final works contract on the supply of two evolutionary pressurised reactors (EPRs) for the Jaitapur nuclear project in the presence of visiting French President François Hollande on Friday.

Negotiations between the two for the initial supply of two EPRs of 1,650 Mw each for the proposed 9,900-Mw project in Maharashtra have been stuck over cost and tariff.

To benefit about 2,300 affected people Nuclear Power Corporation reiterates readiness to spend more on relief, rehabilitation

People who stand to lose their land to the Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district are to get compensation of Rs 22.5 lakh a hectare, instead of the earlier Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh a hectare, the state government has announced, as a “special case”.