Opposition to the proposed nuclear capacity addition for various states has left state-run Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) disappointed. The company admits this would delay project implementation, escalate costs and may even compel foreign reactor suppliers to reconsider their decisions. In an interview with Sanjay Jog, Chairman and managing Director S K Jain talks about the way ahead for the company. Edited excerpts:
What does NPC feel about the recent protests against the Kudankulam nuclear project?
Nuclear Power Corporation has been successful in building a strong relationship with the villagers for the Kudankulam project. These villagers have virtually become part of the NPC family. Today, we are really shocked as to why, in a single day, the situation was hijacked. The trust has been shattered, especially since unit one was almost ready for power generation after fuel loading. We have been quite transparent since day one. We had taken the population into confidence, as it was quite happy with the corporate social responsibility activities. We were able to transform a sleepy bidi-rolling village to a place that is now known for vibrant economic activities. However, NPC is quite optimistic about the commissioning of the project. We would spare no efforts to allay fears and concerns among the villagers.
The Tamil Nadu cabinet has passed a resolution to halt work at Kudankulam.
I do not want to comment what the cabinet has decided. However, I want to reiterate NPC has a impeccable track record of safety and security of the plant and the people around. We have done it in the past and will continue to adhere to the strict safety applications. In the case of Kudankulam, we prevailed over the Russians to incorporate many features which were not there in the original designs of the reactors. This was aimed at taking safety to the highest levels. During reviews by various agencies and task forces after the Fukushima accident, Kudankulam was declared a safe project.
What is the status of the Kudankulam project?
The construction of first unit of 1,000 Mw is complete. We have conducted 800 tests to verify the design parameters. The unit is operational, but for the loading of nuclear fuel. As far as the second unit of 1,000 Mw is concerned, civil work is almost 97 per cent complete and other parallel works are in progress. This would ready for commissioning in the next six to eight months. So far, NPC has invested Rs 14,000 crore. There is a possibility of cost overruns, especially on account of interest during construction, if the work is halted. I want to clarify NPC cannot be bracketed with the private sector, whose objective is earning profit. NPC is accountable to Parliament and to the people of the country. It has demonstrated its dedication and integrity to set up world class reactors.
Kudankulam is not an isolated case. NPC is seeing similar protests in Maharashtra, Haryana, West Bengal and Gujarat for proposed nuclear projects. What is NPC's strategy to tackle such opposition?
It is quite painful that due to the stand taken by non-government organisations and short-term interests lobbies, no major power project has been commissioned in the last one year. These protests are really de-motivating. However, I am quite optimistic NPC would succeed in taking the people on board, and continue to implement nuclear capacity addition programme.
I must inform you China is working on 28 reactors of different designs and capacities. In addition to that, it is also working on another 12 reactors. The country is working hard to achieve 60,000 Mw of nuclear capacity by 2020. In India, we plan to increase nuclear capacity from the current 4,780 Mw to 40,000 Mw by 2020. I am hopeful that we would be able to overcome these hiccups to achieve the proposed capacity. I think the country has no choice, but to adopt nuclear power in a big way, especially in the wake of constraints in harnessing fossil fuel and oil and natural gas.
Are foreign reactor suppliers worried about the opposition to nuclear projects?
They are apprehensive. They are currently involved in a massive exercise to tie up with Indian companies to localise fabrication.