Recent White Paper on Kerala’s fiscal health has sparked new talks about possibly setting up nuclear power plants in state. Unveiled to State Legislative Assembly on June 4, document pushes nuclear energy as part of plan to boost energy security .
Drafted by panel led by former Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar,195-page report stresses Kerala must diversify energy sources. It urges state to push for investments in solar,hydropower,nuclear while improving transmission,storage .
The White Paper sets big targets for power generation: 6,000 MW from solar,8,000 MW from hydroelectric projects. Also looks at new tech like closed-loop reactors from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,small modular reactors for more capacity.
Though current government open to nuclear,previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration made no formal moves. Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had looked at nuclear proposals before. In September 2024, V.D. Satheesan said nuclear power needs careful pros and cons assessment.
Central agencies ready to push nuclear projects if state provides land. But,some experts,environmentalists oppose nuclear,back solar and pumped storage,pointing to risks with nuclear plants .
Nuclear energy always a hot topic in Kerala. Disasters like Chernobyl, Fukushima make public wary, especially in crowded state . Late 20th century saw frequent nuclear energy debates in Kerala Assembly as Union government eyed sites. Protests flared,like Peringome anti-nuclear movement early 1990s.
Thorium deposits along Kerala coast also stir debate . First raised in 1946 in Travancore Sri Mulam Assembly,nuclear power talk surged after 2024-25 Union Budget announcements by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Bharat Small Reactors,tech advances.
Post-announcements,KSEB began eyeing nuclear plant feasibility,though prior LDF government didn't set policy. Sites like Athirappilly in Thrissur,Cheemeni in Kasaragod considered.
In January 2025,State Electricity Regulatory Commission put out discussion paper urging look at small modular nuclear plants. LDF government also sought study on thorium for energy, planning visit to Kalpakkam,Tamil Nadu,site of India’s first Fast Breeder Reactor. Clearance for visit still pending...
