Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power station currently under construction in Koodankulam in the Tirunelveli district of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Cost estimation of this project was $3 billion.
Two 1 GW units of the VVER-1000 model are being constructed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited. When the two are completed (estimated by December 2007 and December 2008, respectively), it will become the largest nuclear power generation complex in the country producing a cumulative of 2 GW of electric power. Both units are Water Cooled Water Moderated Power Reactors. The first unit is estimated to go into operation in 2007, while the second one is set for 2009. Four more reactors are set to be added to this plant. This will add another 2.5 GW output from the project. When completed, this will provide about 40% of the nuclear power in India.
The Inter-Governmental Agreement on the project was signed on November 20, 1988 by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Soviet President Mikahil Gorbachev. The project was in limbo for 10 years. There has been considerable struggle to stop this project due to nuclear pollution reasons. While United States complained about the agreement as it does not meet with the terms of the Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG), Russia contends that the Koodankulam deal was originally signed in 1988 and is therefore not subject to the 1992 NSG guidelines.
There are negotiations to see if a naval base is to be added here for both safeguarding the project and as a presence in the southern tip of the country. A mini port became operational in Koodankulam on January 14, 2004. The port has been established to receive barges carrying overdimensional equipments for light water reactors from ships anchored at a distance of 1½ km. This removes the necessity of land transportation that increases the possibility of damage. The Sethusamudram project will enhance the military and provide Nuclear Submarine base in the canal, with the nuclear fuel supplied by the Koodankulam Nuclear Project.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) is a Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India. It was incorporated in September 1987 as a Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 1956, with the objective of operating the atomic power stations and implementing the atomic power projects for the generation of electricity in pursuance of the schemes and programs of Government of India under the Atomic Energy Act.
NPCIL is solely responsible for constructing and operating India's commercial nuclear power programme. As of 2007 the company had 17 reactors under operation in 6 locations: with more under construction and with a Total Installed capacity of 4120MWe. All the nuclear power plants operated by the company are certified for ISO-14001 (Environment Management System). NPCIL is the only power utility company in India which utilizes nuclear fuel sources. Most of the generating stations operated by NPCIL are Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors, originally called as CANDU.
Subsequent to the government's decision to allow private companies to provide nuclear power, the company has experienced problems with private enterprises "poaching" its employees.
Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Koodankulam Jobs
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) has assured priority for qualified people who had given their land for the establishment of the Koodankulam atomic power project in recruitment of hands for the group C and D jobs.
This was disclosed by the District Collector, Mr. Sunil Paliwal, at a meeting of the heads of the local bodies and the representatives of Koodankulam and surrounding villages to discuss their demands at the Collectorate here on Friday. The meeting was held in the presence of Mr. S. K. Agrawal, Project Director, Koodankulam Project. Mr. M. Appavu, independent MLA, representing Radhapuram Assembly constituency under which the project fell, also participated.
Today's meeting follows picketing organised by the residents of these villages, led by Mr. Appavu, on Nov. 16 to press their charter of demands, including priority in job opportunities, contract, etc for the locals.
Mr. Agrawal made it clear that the employment of group C and D workers will be done only from among the local people, depending upon the manpower planning. The recruitment will commence within a couple of months and it will be an ongoing process. In case qualified hands not available from among the donors, then priority will be given to the people of Radhapuram taluk, followed by the residents of other parts of Tirunelveli district. The NPCIL will itself undertake the recruitment.
As far as recruitment of people for the group A and B jobs, steps will be taken for the publication of suitable advertisements in this regard so that the message reached the people of the district.
Regarding the other demand for the shifting of the administrative office of the project to Koodankulam, Mr. Agrawal said, this would be done by May 2002. It was also decided at the meeting to give priority in contract works of the project for the qualified local contractors.
Messrs P. Kannappan, superintendent of police, Brajendra Navnit, Assistant Collector, Cheranmahadevi, K. Anbumani, deputy manager, Madras Atomic Power Station, Kalpakkam, Mrs. Deisy Inbanayagam, chairman and Mr. K. P. K. Selvaraj, vice- chairman of the Radhapuram panchayat union participated in the meeting.
In an informal chat with press persons later, Mr. Agrawal said, the representatives who participated in today's meeting whole- heartedly welcomed the Koodankulam project and assured their total cooperation. He said, no issue on the Kudankulam project was leftout without consultation by the NPCIL. The Corporation is interested in sharing all information with the local people on what it intended to do till the project took a final shape.
Mr. Agrawal said, the NPCIL has been organising regular meetings with the local people for exchange of views and reducing the communication gap. Such interaction will continue in future.
The NPCIL will also allot special funds for undertaking welfare programmes in the surrounding villages.