Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Koodangulam Nuclear Power station


Now Koodangulam Nuclear Power station is facing crisis. After an investment of Rs.15,000 crores and work of more than a decade, this nuclear power station is ready to produce 2000 MW of power within a month or two. When the production is to start in a few weeks, some of the activists along with villagers have been protesting against the nuclear power station. They have even met the Prime Minister and requested him to close down the power station. They are creating the fear among the villagers that this nuclear power station may also generate radiation and cause death, if an earthquake or Tsunami happens in future, like Japan's Fukushima.

Koodangulam and Kalpakkam are in earthquake zone No 2 with lower risk of earthquake. Nowhere in the world, earthquake zone 2 has suffered any major earthquake leading to death so far. Japan's Fukushima is in earthquake zone 5. Besides, the japan power plant belongs to generation 1, constructed 40 years back. Since Earthquake and Tsunami happened simultaneously, the power plant got affected. That power plant had the backup of only 8 hours of power supply. Hundreds of people died only because of earthquake and tsunami. As per the report, not even one person died out of radiation due to the Fukkushima Accident. A wrong propaganda is being spread in India by some vested interests against Koodangulam safety quoting Fukushima.

Koodangulam is in Earthquake zone 2, which is less prone to heavy earthquake. The Tsunamigenic plate (Sunda ARC) is located 1500 KM Southwest away from Koodangulam. Even if Tsunami orginates due to severe earthquake in that Sunda ARC region , it may not have serious impact at Koodangulam since it is not located straight to that tsunamigenic plate, it is located in a very safe place in the eastern side where it is protected by Srilanka island. Even in the 2004 Tsunami, the impact on Koodangulam was less.

since the direct impact can only hit Nagapattinam, it hit that location in 2004. It was because, 2004 Tsunami was the cause of the earthquake originated in Indonesia/Sumatra in the eastern part of the Pacific Ring of Fire – Tsunamigenic plate. Hence there is no question of Earthquake beyond 6 Ricter scale and Tsunami happening at Koodankulam site. These fears are unfounded. Even if earthquake and tsunami happens the Koodankulam is built to withstand both.

Further, the 'spent fuel', is being stored 20 feet below the earth level in a two level protected concrete structure with 1.20 meter thick walls with a gap of 6 feet and then another wall covering that. Even assuming an earthquake of Richter scale 6 happens, it may not affect the storage of the spent fuel complex. The spent fuel is not mixed with sea, as propagated. No waste or spent fuel is mixed with sea. It is only the coolant water, which does not have any radiation except the 5 degree warm temperature is released to the sea, which is well within the limits of 7 degree. The research studies conducted by 7 reputed institutions have proved that there is no threat to the marine life due to this water release.

While Japan Fukushima had only 8 hours of power supply, Koodangulam has the provision for more than 400 times of requirement of alternate power supply. Besides, we can run the power station for many number of days with diesel also in case of emergency. Now in India, all the nuclear power stations are in the process of getting upgraded to 3rd and 4th generation model.

Any nuclear power station can be built in any part of the world, only after lot of clearances. Now the rules are stringent. Government will invest such huge sums of money, only after the approval by various scientific bodies and regulatory bodies.

The fears of certain Koodangulam representatives are unfounded and not based on scientific views. They can be rest assured that this power station is very very safe.

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