Atomic Energy Dept to focus on Orissa

Expressbuzz.com, 14th September, 2008
Sanjeev Kumar Patro
14 Sep 2008 05:09:00 AM IST

BHUBANESWAR: With the NSG waiver in pocket and the US Congress approval almost a certainty, the Department of Atomic Energy is already bullish to puruse its target of generating 40,000 MW power by 2040.
And, the focus is on four coastal states of Gujarat, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
Earlier, Orissa was not considered ideal for N-power plants largely due to its thermal power advantage through abundant coal reserves and non-availablity of quality uranium and other raw materials. But now, it is an advantageous location considering inflow of imported quality uranium from Australia and other countries through the sea route.
Further, in Orissa, as per a recent survey of Atomic Energy Directorate, traces of uranium were noticed in 19 locations in Sundargarh, 12 in Sambalpur, four in Bargarh, two in Jharsuguda and one each in Deogarh, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur districts. The report sniffs a huge possibility of availability of uranium on a commercial scale in Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts.
Promoting it as green energy, Nuclear Power Corporation could push for setting up the largest nuclear plant of India at 6000 MW, which it announced last year.
At present, the power profile of the State is dominated by thermal contributing 880 MW and hydel at 1900 MW. With ever growing demand for electricity, the demand will soar to over 22,000 MW by 2012. The Government, to meet the shortfall worth 15,000 MW, has gone for a massive capacity addition in the thermal sector raising environmental concerns.
Now, thermal power is considered the cheapest energy source and nuclear power would be very costly. According to an international study in coal-based power plants, the fuel cost for generating 1 MW stands at around Rs 444, while for nuclear it is only Rs 220. The operation and maintenance cost for coal stands at Rs 220 and for nuclear at Rs 264. The capital cost is nearly equal, but the decommissioning cost for nuclear stands at Rs 220. So, the total cost per 1 MW energy is Rs 1,440 for nuclear against Rs 1,276 for thermal.
On the flip side, water consumption by nuclear plants is much higher than thermal plants as the former consume 1514-2,725 litre/MW against 1,136-1,817 l/MW by coal. So, stress on water is going to be more.
The balance-sheet is, though, the impact on environment will be positive in Orissa, the cost and water usage could be a nagging problem for the nuclear power plants.