Kerala Government Explores Thorium-Based Nuclear Plant to Address Power Demands

In an unexpected move, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led LDF Government in Kerala has expressed its intention to establish a nuclear power facility in Kayamkulam, Alappuzha. This marks a departure from the state’s long-standing opposition to nuclear power. The proposal aims to leverage Kerala’s abundant thorium deposits for generating nuclear energy and addressing the rising demand for electricity in the state. Kerala Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty has suggested establishing a Thorium-Based Nuclear Plant on the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (NTPCL) land in Kayamkulam.

With approximately 2 lakh tonnes of thorium deposits, Kerala holds around 30% of the world’s total thorium reserves, mainly refined from monazite sands found on the beaches at Chavara. The government plans to utilize the unused land of NTPC in the area, considering the success of the 32 MW Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, as a positive precedent. A high-level delegation from Kerala is set to meet the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) chief to discuss the prospects of the Thorium-Based Nuclear Plant, while the state Electricity Board intends to utilize the Kayamkulam site for this purpose. The move comes as Kerala seeks alternative energy sources to meet its power demands.

Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker