In Short : Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has proposed building a nuclear power plant in Kerala, contingent on the state providing 150 acres of land. The central government is ready to assist with coal linkage and funding for energy storage systems. The Kerala government has not yet decided on the project, but the identified site is in Kasaragod district.
In Detail : Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has suggested that Kerala could receive a nuclear power plant if the state provides 150 acres of suitable land for the project. The proposal came during a meeting between Khattar and Kerala’s Power Minister, K Krishnankutty, where the central government emphasized the need for the state to identify land for the nuclear plant.
The central government has expressed its commitment to supporting the project by assisting with coal linkage and providing viability gap funding for energy storage systems. This would help in reducing the cost burden and enhance the feasibility of the nuclear power plant in the region.
However, the Kerala government has not yet made a policy decision regarding the establishment of a nuclear power plant within the state. The state authorities are yet to decide on whether they are ready to move forward with the project, with public and political discussions expected in the coming months.
A potential site for the plant has already been identified near Cheemeni in Kasaragod district, a region believed to be suitable for the establishment of such a facility. This location could address Kerala’s ongoing challenges in power supply and contribute significantly to meeting the state’s growing energy demands.
The central government also noted that the establishment of a nuclear power plant in India is governed by the Atomic Energy Act, which restricts such projects to authorized government entities. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) are the primary organizations authorized to set up nuclear power stations in India.
While the Kerala government has yet to make a decision, the central government has strongly encouraged the state to identify and allocate the necessary land for the project. The nuclear power plant proposal represents a potential solution to the state’s energy needs and underscores the importance of cooperation between the central and state governments to meet future energy goals.
