MMS says, "we will not compromise in any way on nuclear safety.” Ex ante compromises are (to our knowledge so far) relatively rare. What the nuclear establishment - by which I mean the vested interests in the supply industry, and most in the utility industry and government, regulatory apparatus - has consistently refused to accept are the challenges to its information, knowledge, and wisdom. The halo of science and military superiority around nuclear power - and the quiet avoidance, obfuscation of any debate on nuclear weaponry - must be attacked because it is so deceptive, so hollow, so much - simply - nonsense. Serious scientists and security analysts - not just principled environmentalists or pacifists - have challenged the case for nuclear power and weapons, and the actual operating history of the nuclear enterprise is something to be ashamed of. (I do concede that deterrence has its uses, and hope that in 50 years the world will have grown enough to dispense with WMDs.)
What India is risking is a rush and a logjam, before even 10,000 MW more is added. This is lunacy. We don't have good enough planners? Or have we outsourced thinking to a bunch of fanatics at DAE?
Then again, there may be a method to the madness. Of course the PM is going to say what he does in the Lok Sabha. He needs to signal to the world that India is unwavering in its commitment to nuclear power. That India is mature and level-headed. Because he has his diplomacy battles about NSG and IAEA matters, among other things. However, the real test will come at the state level, at the regulatory level, and yes, at the financing level. I see Paschim Banga making noise about Haripur, and who knows what will happen at Jaitapur and Mithi Virdi. The real test will come from the financial markets - there is only so much the GoI can do in terms of equity and guarantees, and NPCIL is not sitting on huge revenue base either. So, for all the fireworks, dance and music, we'll end up with marginal progress. Add to that the delays endemic to nuclear plant construction, and we'll have even more power outages. That, to me, is the patent failure of Indian nuclear planning and operations to date --- if one values the delays and outages at the cost of replacement power or loss of output, our nuclear power programme is an abject failure.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/
Hindustan Times
Kolkata, August 21, 2011
Mamata sulks as PM extends support for Nuclear power
Mamata sulks as PM extends support for Nuclear power
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday made a strong case for nuclear energy, which West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is against.
Addressing the closing ceremony of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics’ diamond jubilee here, Singh said: ““I am convinced that nuclear energy will play an important role in our quest for a clean and environmentally friendly energy mix as a major locomotive programme.” Banerjee, sharing the dais, appeared to be in discomfort when he made the statement.
The Prime Minister’s push for nuclear energy came days after the Trinamool-Congress coalition government announced a policy banning nuclear power plants including the one that was proposed at Haripur in East Midnapore district.
On August 17, West Bengal power minister Manish Gupta said the government will not budge from its stand of disallowing nuclear plants. “The erstwhile Left Front government had misled the people about the Haripur project. Our government has no plans to set up nuclear power plants in any other parts of the state,” he said in the assembly.
The Prime Minister had during his visit to Russia in 2009 signed an agreement for setting up five nuclear power plants in India, including the one at Haripur. Land was accordingly allotted to Russian firm Rosatom for developing a nuclear park for its 1000MW atomic power plants.
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http://www.indianexpress.com/
"New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday assured the Lok Sabha that nuclear facilities in India were world-class and efforts were afoot to ensure they comply with the best safety standards.
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“After the tragedy in Japan, I asked the atomic energy establishment to look into safety features of each and every plant, both by the NPCIL, BARC and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board,” Singh said. “So you have my assurance that the government is fully conscious of the fact that while we’re committed to expand civil nuclear energy setup, we will not compromise in any way on nuclear safety.”
