Kerala government explores nuclear power option amid electricity shortage

The Kerala government is exploring the possibility of setting up a nuclear power plant in the state amid an acute electricity shortage, with Power Minister Sunny Joseph saying political consensus would be sought before taking the proposal forward.

The UDF government plans to consult the leaderships of political parties as a first step towards building consensus on the proposal.

"The government will move forward with the setting up of a nuclear power plant in Keralam provided the party leaderships reach a consensus," Joseph, who is also the Congress state president, told The New Indian Express.

He said the government would take all stakeholders into confidence before arriving at a final decision.

"Considering the escalating shortage of power and the obstacles in securing emergency electricity contracts, the state has to explore all options," Joseph said.

Though proposals for nuclear power projects have surfaced in Kerala in the past, successive governments could not pursue them amid political opposition and resistance from social and environmental groups.

The state's limited ability to procure additional power from other states and agencies, along with climate change and inadequate monsoon rainfall, has prompted the government to explore alternative sources, according to the report.

Joseph said the Centre was introducing schemes under which states hosting nuclear power plants would receive priority in procuring electricity generated by those plants.

He also said this could affect Kerala's prospects of sourcing power from nuclear facilities such as the Kudankulam plant in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and from other states.

Sources said the government was prepared to examine the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a nuclear power plant before taking a final call.

A proposal for a nuclear plant at Cheemeni in Kasaragod had gained traction in government circles earlier, but the government subsequently indicated it would not proceed with it following protests.

Joseph also held discussions with Karnataka Power Minister K J George on Sunday on the possibility of procuring electricity from the neighbouring state.

According to government officials, Karnataka has been selling surplus power to the national grid at an average rate of Rs 10 per unit during peak evening hours. It has also sought a commitment from Kerala to purchase power during non-peak hours at the same rate, which the state considers financially unviable.

Earlier nuclear power proposals

Kerala's nuclear power debate dates back several decades.

In the late 1970s, a proposal was made to establish a nuclear plant at Bhoothathankettu in Ernakulam district, but it was dropped following strong opposition.

Another proposal emerged in the mid-1980s for a nuclear plant at Peringome in Kasaragod. Planning gained momentum in 1990 under the K Karunakaran government but faced resistance and was eventually abandoned.

More recently, a 440-MW nuclear power project was proposed at Cheemeni, where preliminary studies were also carried out. The proposal faced opposition from local residents and the government later indicated that it would not pursue the project.