Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant#Opposition

File:Kudankulam NPP.jpg

An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) on the project was signed on 20 November 1988 by the Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi and the Soviet head of state, Mikhail Gorbachev, for the construction of two reactors. The project remained in limbo for a decade due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. There were also objections from the United States, on the grounds that the agreement did not meet the 1992 terms of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).[http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/russia/exports/rusind/react.htm Nuclear Exports to India from Russia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401111116/http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/russia/exports/rusind/react.htm |date=1 April 2007 }} M. R. Srinivasan, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman from 1987 to 1990, called the project "a non-starter". However, the project was revived on 21 June 1998.

Construction began on 31 March 2002, with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) predicting that the first unit would be operational in March 2007, instead of the original target of December 2007.

A small port became operational in Kudankulam on 14 January 2004. This port was established to receive barges carrying over-sized light water reactor equipment from ships anchored at a distance of {{convert|1.5|km}}. Until 2004, materials had to be brought in via road from the port of Thoothukudi, risking damage during transportation.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/01/17/stories/2004011700940600.htm|title=The Hindu Business Line : Kudankulam port becomes operational|website=www.thehindubusinessline.com}} In 2008, negotiations on building four additional reactors at the site began. Though the capacity of these reactors had not been declared, it was expected that the capacity of each reactor will be 1,200 MW (1.2 GW).{{cite news | url = http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-31900120080212 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080215005841/http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-31900120080212 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 15 February 2008 | title = Russia, India edge closer to major nuclear deal | author = Dmitry Sergeev | work = Reuters | date = 1 February 2008 | access-date =1 February 2008}}{{cite web | url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20081203/884/twl-india-russia-to-sign-deal-on-new-nuc_1.html | title = India, Russia to sign deal on new nuclear reactors | access-date=3 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206080407/http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20081203/884/twl-india-russia-to-sign-deal-on-new-nuc_1.html |archive-date=6 December 2008 }} The new reactors would bring the total capacity of the power plant to 6,800 MW (6.8 GW). These reactors never entered the planning phase after being proposed, mostly due to protests and due to other reasons. No such units are currently planned or under construction.

The ground-breaking ceremony for construction of third and fourth units was performed on 17 February 2016 and AERB authorised the first pour of concrete on 19 June 2017.{{cite web |url = http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/bhoomi-pooja-performed-for-kudankulam-3rd-4th-units_1856550.html |title = Bhoomi pooja performed for Kudankulam 3rd, 4th units |publisher = Zee Media Corporation Ltd. |date = 17 February 2016 | access-date = 18 February 2016}} Construction of the third and fourth units started on 29 June 2017.{{cite web |date=2024-12-11 |title=KUDANKULAM-4 |url=https://pris.iaea.org/PRIS/CountryStatistics/ReactorDetails.aspx?current=1060 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211211107/https://pris.iaea.org/PRIS/CountryStatistics/ReactorDetails.aspx?current=1060 |archive-date=2024-12-11 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=}} AERB granted excavation permit for Unit 5 and 6 in 14 November 2018 and concerete pour begun in 2020.{{cite news|last1=Singh|first1=Surendra|title=Make in India push: India likely to produce nuclear fuel with Russia's help|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/make-in-india-push-india-likely-to-produce-n-fuel-with-russias-help/articleshow/70982319.cms|access-date=24 September 2019|website=The Times of India|date=5 September 2019 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=e-Newsletter, October – December 2018 |url=https://www.aerb.gov.in/images/PDF/e-Newsletter-Oct-Dec-2018-R7.pdf |website=Atomic Energy Regulatory Board |access-date=16 April 2021}}{{cite web|date=23 June 2017|title=AERB grants FPC clearance for Kudankulam units 3 and 4|url=https://www.aerb.gov.in/storage/images/PDF/p23062017.pdf|access-date=16 April 2021|website=Atomic Energy Regulatory Board}} Construction of units 5 and 6 commenced on 29 June 2021. Unit 5 is expected to be ready for commissioning in December 2026, while unit 6 is expected to be ready by September 2027.

In 2019, NPCIL confirmed identification of malware in the internet connected administrative network but said that the critical internal network was isolated. KKNPP officials had earlier termed reports on the cyber attack as false. The malware was linked to the North Korea based Lazarus Group.{{cite news|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/confirmed-north-korean-malware-found-on-indian-nuclear-plants-network/|title=Confirmed: North Korean malware found on Indian nuclear plant's network|date=30 October 2019|newspaper=ZDNet}}

The reactors are pressurised water reactor of Russian design, model VVER-1000/V-412 referred also as AES-92. Thermal capacity is 3,000 MW, gross electrical capacity is 1,000 MW with a net capacity of 917 MW.{{cite web

| url = http://www.rosatom.ru/upload/iblock/0be/0be1220af25741375138ecd1afb18743.pdf

| title = The VVER today – Evolution – Design – Safety

| date = 2014

| website = www.rosatom.ru

| publisher = Rosatom

| pages = 11–12

| type = PDF

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160721014654/http://www.rosatom.ru/upload/iblock/0be/0be1220af25741375138ecd1afb18743.pdf

| archive-date=21 July 2016| url-status = live

| access-date = 21 July 2016}} Construction is by NPCIL and Atomstroyexport. The plant is the largest nuclear power generation complex in India producing a cumulative 2 GW of electric power.{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/12/stories/2008101251200100.htm|title=NPCIL to go into details with 4 reactor suppliers}} Both units are water-cooled, water-moderated Pressurized water reactors.{{cite web|url=http://www.icjt.org/npp/podrobnosti.php?drzava=11&lokacija=628|title=Nuclear Power Plant Type|access-date=28 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320083312/http://www.icjt.org/npp/podrobnosti.php?drzava=11&lokacija=628|archive-date=20 March 2007|url-status=dead}}{{cite web| url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/koodankulam-to-start-production-in-40-days/940736/|title= Koodankulam to start production in 40 days|date= 24 April 2012}}{{cite web

| url = http://www.npcil.nic.in/kapp.asp

| title = Kudankulam Atomic Power Project 1 & 2 and

| access-date =1 June 2008

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080515211047/http://www.npcil.nic.in/kapp.asp |archive-date = 15 May 2008}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1919/19190980.htm |title=History of the Kudankulam Project |access-date=28 March 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080514153031/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1919/19190980.htm |archive-date=14 May 2008 |url-status=usurped }}

The first reactor of the plant attained criticality on 13 July 2013 and was connected to the grid three months later.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kudankulam-nuclear-plant-goes-critical/articleshow/21061780.cms |title=Kudankulam nuclear plant goes critical |newspaper=The Times of India |date=2013-07-14 |access-date=2013-07-14}} {{cite web|url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news/birds-started-nesting-in-area-surrounding-npp-of-kudankulam-5770977289_1.html|title=Birds started nesting in area surrounding NPP of Kudankulam|date=2 September 2013|publisher=India Info Online|access-date=10 October 2014}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-11 |title=KUDANKULAM-1 |url=https://pris.iaea.org/PRIS/CountryStatistics/ReactorDetails.aspx?current=852 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211211027/https://pris.iaea.org/PRIS/CountryStatistics/ReactorDetails.aspx?current=852 |archive-date=2024-12-11 |access-date=2024-12-11}} It started commercial operation from 31 December 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/Kudankulam-reactor-attains-full-capacity/article11640228.ece|title=Kudankulam reactor attains full capacity|first=A.|last=Sudhakar|newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 June 2014|via=www.thehindu.com}} The second unit achieved criticality on 10 July 2016 and was connected to the grid in August.{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/india.aspx |title=Nuclear Power in India | Indian Nuclear Energy - World Nuclear Association |access-date=2016-09-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160906112259/http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/india.aspx |archive-date= 6 September 2016 }} Commercial operation started on 15 October 2016.{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20161015/1479295038.html|title=Путин и Моди запустили второй энергоблок АЭС "Куданкулам"|date=15 October 2016|website=РИА Новости}}{{cite web |date=2024-12-11 |title=KUDANKULAM-2 |url=https://pris.iaea.org/PRIS/CountryStatistics/ReactorDetails.aspx?current=853 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241211210239/https://pris.iaea.org/PRIS/CountryStatistics/ReactorDetails.aspx?current=853 |archive-date=2024-12-11 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website= |publisher=}}

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) board members have approved signing of a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) for sourcing electricity from the Kudankulam nuclear power project (KKNPP).

Unit 1 was shut down in June 2015 for refuelling and annual maintenance. On 21 January 2016, the reactor restarted and was connected to grid on 30 January.{{cite news

| url =http://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/kudankulam-nuclear-plant-restarts-generation-1277488

| title=Kudankulam Nuclear-Plant Restarts Generation

| work=NDTV | date=15 February 2016 | access-date=18 February 2016}}

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Site Director D. S. Choudhary stated on 26 January 2018 that units 1 and 2 of the nuclear plant had generated a combined total of 22,800 million units since they began functioning.{{cite web|title=Kudankulam nuclear reactors generated 22,800 million units|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/kudankulam-nuclear-reactors-generated-22800-million-units/article22539654.ece|website=The Hindu|access-date=19 February 2018|language=en-IN|date=28 January 2018}}

People had been opposing the plant since its proposal in 1979. The proposal however, was halted because of the protests. It was brought back in 2000, and construction started under the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.{{cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/a-decade-on-kudankulam-nuclear-plant-protesters-say-still-face-ordeal-101654455406226.html | title=A decade on, Kudankulam nuclear plant protesters say still face ordeal | date=6 June 2022 }}

In 2011, thousands from the vicinity of the plant protested against it, fearing a nuclear disaster, in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10762102 |title=Indian activists fear nuclear plant accident |author=Rahul Bedi |date=28 October 2011 |work=The New Zealand Herald }} According to the protesters, evacuation of people in the event of a nuclear disaster would be impossible.{{cite web|url=https://www.transcend.org/tms/2011/08/thirteen-reasons-why-we-do-not-want-the-koodankulam-nuclear-power-project/|title=Thirteen Reasons Why We Do Not Want the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project|website=TRANSCEND Media Service}} According to S P Udayakumar, of the People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy, "the nuclear plant is unsafe". However, in 2012, the chief of India's nuclear energy programme, Dr Srikumar Banerjee, called the plant "one of the safest" in the world.{{cite news | url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/kudankulam-one-of-safest-reactors-lanka-s-fears-unfounded-india-s-nuclear-chief-196617 | title=Kudankulam one of safest reactors, Lanka's fears unfounded: India's nuclear chief | work=NDTV | date=12 April 2012 | access-date=3 October 2013}} In December 2012, The Hindu reported that hundreds of villagers in the region were largely ignorant of the risks and benefits of the plant.{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/at-kudankulams-core-is-fear-ignorance-and-anger/article4154421.ece | title=At Kudankulam's core is fear, ignorance and anger | date=2 December 2012 | access-date=22 October 2013}}

A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in 2011 with the Supreme Court asking for nuclear power development to be delayed until safety concerns were independently assessed.{{cite web |url=http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3889&Itemid=614 |title=India's Rising Nuclear Safety Concerns |author=Siddharth Srivastava |date=27 October 2011 |work=Asia Sentinel |access-date=28 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215238/http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3889&Itemid=614 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20111024/india-nuclear-energy-expansion-grassroots-uprising-jaitapur-maharashtra-tamil-nadu-west-bengal-fukushima |title=Prospects Dim for India's Nuclear Power Expansion as Grassroots Uprising Spreads |author=Ranjit Devraj |date=25 October 2011 |work=Inside Climate News }} In May 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the plant, stating that the nuclear power plant was in the larger public interest.{{cite news | url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/south/kudankulam-verdict-for-this-village-renewed-protests-or-tacit-acceptance-363471 | title=Kudankulam verdict: for this village, renewed protests or tacit acceptance | work=NDTV | date=6 May 2013 | access-date=3 October 2013}}

In March 2012, nearly 200 anti-nuclear protesters were detained for a few hours by the police. The protesters were set to join protests objecting resumption of work of one of two 1 GW reactors, a day after the local government restarted work on the project.{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20120320-nearly-200-arrested-india-nuclear-protest |title=Nearly 200 arrested in India nuclear protest |date=20 March 2012 |work=France24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531034131/http://www.france24.com/en/20120320-nearly-200-arrested-india-nuclear-protest |archive-date=31 May 2012 }}

There have also been rallies and protests in favour of commissioning this nuclear power plant.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article2898930.ece |title=Rally seeks power generation at Kudankulam plant|date=16 February 2012|work=The Hindu }}{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article2926774.ece |title=Blood donation camp in support of N-plant|date=24 February 2012|work=The Hindu }}

On, 24 February 2012, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh blamed foreign NGOs for protests at the power plant. News agencies reported that three NGOs had diverted donations earmarked for religious and social causes to the protests, in violation of foreign exchange regulations.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/foreign-ngos-behind-kudankulam-protests-pm/story-eKdHevXTKMXvCpqBpTo5uL.html |title=5 NGOs diverted foreign funds to fuel Kudankulam stir|date=24 February 2012|work=hindustantimes }}{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/kudankulam-protests-3-ngos-lose-licence-for-diverting-funds-224821.html|title=Kudankulam protests: 3 NGOs lose licence for diverting funds|website=Firstpost|date=25 February 2012 }}

Supporters of the power plant in Idinthakarai village have been targeted by opponents using improvised explosive devices.{{cite web|author=Sudipto Mondal|title=Explosions at village near Kudankulam plant: Reports|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bombs-go-off-at-village-near-kudankulam-nuclear-plant-reports-/article1-1221664.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523002413/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bombs-go-off-at-village-near-kudankulam-nuclear-plant-reports-/article1-1221664.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 May 2014|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=11 December 2014}}

The Church of South India and the National Council of Churches opposed the power plant and supported the protests against it.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/churches-back-kudankulam-stir/article4122068.ece|title=Churches back Kudankulam stir|date=22 November 2012|newspaper=The Hindu}} Supporters of the power plant and the government have alleged that the protest against the power plant was instigated by churches and funded by foreign sources. The protestors dismissed the allegation of foreign funding, but said that seeking support from church was "natural" as many protestors were Christian localities living in the vicinity of the Reactor.{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Biswajit |last2=G. S. Mudur |title=The professor and the politics in anti-nuclear crucible |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/the-professor-and-the-politics-in-anti-nuclear-crucible/cid/332630 |work=The Telegraph |date=9 February 2013 |language=en}}

Former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission of India Srinivasan said, "The Fukushima plant was built on a beach-front, but the Kudankulam was constructed on a solid terrain and that too keeping all the safety aspects in mind. Also, we are not in a tsunami prone area. The plants in Kudankulam have a double containment system which can withstand high pressure. At least {{Indian Rupee}} 14,000 crore has been spent. If we don't operate the plant immediately, it will affect the economic stability of our country".{{cite web |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Kudankulam-plant-is-safe-Srinivasan/articleshow/10722534.cms|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120718093302/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-14/chennai/30397314_1_kudankulam-fukushima-nuclear-power|url-status= live|archive-date= 18 July 2012|work= The Times of India|title= Kudankulam plant is safe: Srinivasan |date=14 November 2011 }}

A centre panel constituted by the Government of India, which did a survey of the safety features in the plant, vouched for the safety of the Kudankulam reactors. Dr Muthunayagam, who headed the panel, said that the protesters asked for some documents which are not related to the safety of the reactor.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2640076.ece|title= Kudankulam reactors safest: Central panel|date=19 November 2011 |work=The Hindu }} Nuclear scientist and principal scientific adviser to the federal Government of India Rajagopala Chidambaram has said "We have learnt lessons from the Fukushima nuclear accident, particularly on the post-shut-down cooling system", and also added Fukushima nuclear accident should not deter or inhibit India from pursuing a safe civil nuclear programme.{{cite web |url= http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2947436.ece |title= R. Chidambaram bats for Kudankulam |date=12 March 2012 |work=The Hindu }}

The Tamil Nadu state government formed a four-member expert panel which submitted a report to the government after inspecting the safety features of the plant. The Tamil Nadu government in the wake of the acute power shortages in the state has ordered in favour of the commissioning of the plant.{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_kudankulam-nuclear-power-plant-issue-ends_1664495 |title=Kudankulam nuclear power plant issue ends – India – DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=2012-11-17}}

Government of India announced the power allocation from the two units of the reactor on 29 August 2013.[http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=98899 Press Information Bureau English Releases]. Pib.nic.in. Retrieved on 2013-12-06.

As of 1 December 2021, the government is considering to increase its capability to 6,000 MW, on completion of KKNPP-3 & 4 (2 x 1,000 MW) and KKNPP-5 & 6 (2 x 1,000 MW) which are presently under construction.

The town council of Volgodonsk, Rostov Oblast named a lane located next to the Atommash plant as Kudankulam Alley in November 2018. The plant, which is owned by Rosatom, manufactures equipment for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.{{cite web |title=Now, a Kudankulam lane in Russia |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/biz-tech/2018/11/02/now-kudankulam-lane-russia.html |website=The Week |access-date=27 April 2019 |language=en}}

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• Nuclear Power Corporation of India
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{{reflist}}

• [http://www.npcil.nic.in Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd]
• [http://www.selectourfuture.org/map/ta/ Navigation map of the Nuclear Plant (Tamil language)]

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