CHENNAI: As part of the latest round of talks to break the impasse, the Central government-appointed 15-member expert group on Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) would meet the State panel on Tuesday.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on nuclear energy organised by the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) here on Saturday, K Balu, one of the 15 members of the central expert group, hoped that the meeting on January 31 would bring about a resolution to the burning issue.“But to say that with a sense of finality is difficult at this point in time, because, we have been answering all their questions and in our minds we have addressed all the issues raised by them already, as far as the expert group is concerned. But, if they have more questions, we will be happy to answer them,” he said.Earlier, addressing the seminar, Balu said, “Nuclear energy will play a progressively increasing role for non-grid-based electricity applications and our study indicates the necessity to meet more than one-fourth of electricity generation (in the country) with nuclear energy.”He also revealed that India produces about 4560 MW power from its 19 nuclear reactors now and proposed to increase it to 64,000 MW by 2032.Speaking at the seminar, Nityanand Jayaraman, a researcher on environmental and human rights said that instead of going for nuclear reactors for the country’s energy security, India should solve its power shortage by reducing transmission losses from power grids. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B S Gnanadesikan in Tirunelveli said that the State government should extend cooperation to the Centre in commissioning the Koodankulam plant.
Comments
0 comment