Jainil Prajapati at 07:49, 6 February 2026

2026-02-06T07:49:43Z

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{{Short description|Proposed nuclear power plant Kasaragod, Kerala}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox power station
| name = Kerala Nuclear Power Station <br> Cheemeni Nuclear Power Station
| image =
| image_caption =
| country = India
| coordinates = {{coord|12.250315712054606|N|75.27993409045652|E|region:IN_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| operator = [[Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd]] (NPCIL)
| construction_began = n/a
| commissioned = 22 December 2024
| decommissioned =
| np_reactors = n/a
| np_reactor_type = [[IPHWR-700]]
| np_reactor_supplier = Units 1 & 2: [[AECL]]<br/>Units 3 to 8: [[NPCIL]]
| ps_cooling_source =
| ps_cooling_towers =
| ps_units_operational = 1 x 200 MW<br/> 4 x 220 MW
| ps_units_decommissioned = 1 x 100 MW
| ps_units_uc = 2 x 700 MW
| ps_units_planned =
| ps_electrical_capacity =
| ps_annual_generation =
}}
The '''Kerala Nuclear Power Station''' or '''Cheemeni Nuclear Power Station''' is a proposed [[nuclear power plant]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-28 |title=Nuclear power plant proposal: Kerala State Electricity Board seeks study on potential sites |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/nuclear-power-plant-proposal-kerala-state-electricity-board-seeks-study-on-potential-sites/article68578049.ece |access-date=2024-12-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It it proposed to be built on a {{convert|150|acre|ha}} area, near [[Cheemeni]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Centre identifies Cheemeni as ideal site for nuclear power plant |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/12/23/kerala-power-crisis-nuclear-plant-proposal.html |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Centre identifies Cheemeni as ideal site for nuclear power plant |language=en}}</ref> [[Kasaragod district]] of [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-12-22 |title=Centre willing to clear nuclear power plant project in Kerala if land is available: Manohar Lal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/centre-willing-to-clear-nuclear-power-plant-project-in-state-if-land-is-available-manohar-lal/article69015509.ece |access-date=2024-12-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-23 |title=Centre ready to approve nuclear power plant in Kerala if land is available |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/nuclear-plant-discussions-in-kerala-1.10190605 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Daily |first=Keralakaumudi |title=Nuclear power plant can be built in Kerala if land is made available, says Centre, can also be outside state |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1448498&u=nuclear-power-plant-can-be-built-in-kerala-if-land-is-made-available-says-centre-can-also-be-outside-state-1448498 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Keralakaumudi Daily |language=en}}</ref> The project has sparked debates regarding its feasibility, environmental impact, and public acceptance.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shahul |first=Ameer |title=Opinion: CPI(M)’s controversial political shift over Cheemeni nuclear power project |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/opinion-cpims-controversial-political-shift-over-cheemeni-nuclear-power-project |work=The News Minute |date=20 February 2025 |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref>

==Background==

In August 2024, the [[Kerala State Electricity Board]] (KSEB) commissioned the [[National Institute of Advanced Studies]] (NIAS), [[Bengaluru]], to conduct feasibility studies for nuclear power plants in [[Cheemeni]] and [[Athirapilly]]. By December 2024, the Government of India expressed interest in approving the Cheemeni project, contingent on the availability of sufficient land. Central Minister of Power [[Manohar Lal Khattar]] identified Cheemeni as a strategic site due to its low seismic activity and favourable geographic location.<ref name="BSNuclear2024">{{cite news |last=Press Trust of India |location=Thiruvananthapuram |title=High-level meeting suggests possibility of nuclear power station in Kerala |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/high-level-meeting-suggests-possibility-of-nuclear-power-station-in-kerala-124122400365_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=December 24, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 }}</ref><ref name="TOINuclear2024">{{cite news |title=Kerala Could Get Nuclear Project |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/116641650.cms |work=The Times of India |date=December 24, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 }}</ref>

The concept of a power plant in Cheemeni emerged in 2007, when the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) proposed setting up a 1,200 MW coal-based thermal power plant to address the state’s growing energy demands. However, the project faced significant opposition from environmentalists and local communities, given Kerala’s commitment to sustainability and the adverse environmental impact of coal power. In 2013, the Kerala government revived discussions on an alternative power project in Cheemeni, including the possibility of natural gas-based power generation. However, logistical and cost-related challenges prevented significant progress.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shahul |first=Ameer |title=Opinion: CPI(M)’s controversial political shift over Cheemeni nuclear power project |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/opinion-cpims-controversial-political-shift-over-cheemeni-nuclear-power-project |work=The News Minute |date=20 February 2025 |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref>

==Public Response and Controversy==

The proposed nuclear project has ignited significant opposition from local communities, environmentalists, and anti-nuclear groups, primarily due to concerns over safety, environmental impact, and economic viability.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shahul |first=Ameer |title=Opinion: CPI(M)’s controversial political shift over Cheemeni nuclear power project |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/opinion-cpims-controversial-political-shift-over-cheemeni-nuclear-power-project |work=The News Minute |date=20 February 2025 |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref> The Matsya Thozhilali Aikya Vedhi (Fishermen's United Front) has demanded the government to drop plans to build a nuclear power plant in the State.<ref name="HinduNuclear2024">{{cite news |title=Drop plans for nuclear power plant in Kerala, says fishers’ union |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/drop-plans-for-nuclear-power-plant-in-kerala-says-fishers-union/article69029632.ece |work=The Hindu |date=December 26, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 }}</ref> [[India Today]] reported that [[Kerala]] clarified that it didn’t request a nuclear plant but only emphasised the potential of utilisation of [[thorium]] deposits in the state.<ref name="IndiaTodayNuclear2024">{{cite news |last=Aravind |first=Preeja |title=Kerala looks at nuclear power to address state's electricity demands |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/kerala/story/kerala-eyes-thorium-potential-nuclear-power-during-centre-state-energy-talks-2654609-2024-12-24 |work=India Today |date=December 24, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 |author-link=Preeja Aravind }}</ref>

In December 2024, local communities organized a protest meeting against the Cheemeni project. The event was inaugurated by S. P. Udayakumar, an activist known for leading the anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant movement in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="ManoramaCheemeniProtest2024">{{cite news |title=ചീമേനിയിൽ ആണവ വൈദ്യുതി നിലയത്തിനുള്ള നീക്കം ഉപേക്ഷിക്കണം: എസ്.പി.ഉദയകുമാർ |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/district-news/kasargod/2024/12/23/cheemeni-nuclear-plant-protest.html |work=Malayala Manorama |date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2025 }}</ref> Anti-nuclear activists wrote an open letter to the top leader of Kerala's ruling party [[Prakash Karat]], urging him to drop the Cheemeni project.<ref name="TNMCheemeniProtest2024">{{cite news |last=John |first=Haritha |title=Activists protest proposed nuclear plant in Kerala’s Cheemeni, write to CPI(M)’s Karat |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/activists-protest-proposed-nuclear-plant-in-keralas-cheemeni-write-to-cpims-karat |work=The News Minute |date=March 1, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025 }}</ref>

==Concerns==

A major point of contention has been [[Kasaragod]]’s high population density. The disasters of [[Chernobyl]] (1986) and [[Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident|Fukushima]] (2011) have reinforced public fears about potential radiation hazards. Given the region’s unpredictable wind patterns, critics argue that even a minor nuclear accident could have devastating consequences.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shahul |first=Ameer |title=Opinion: CPI(M)’s controversial political shift over Cheemeni nuclear power project |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/opinion-cpims-controversial-political-shift-over-cheemeni-nuclear-power-project |work=The News Minute |date=20 February 2025 |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref>

Cheemeni is located in the [[Western Ghats]], a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot. Environmentalists argue that even minor ecological disruptions in this region could have long-term consequences. Concerns also include seismic vulnerabilities and the challenge of securing adequate land for the project.<ref name="TrueCopyThinkUdayakumar2025">{{cite news |title=ജനങ്ങളാദ്യം എന്ന ചിന്തയില്ല, അദാനിയും കമ്മീഷനും മുഖ്യം |trans-title=Adani and commission priority for Kerala government, Kudankulam Antinuclear Activist SP Udayakumar talks to Manila C Mohan, Interview Part 2 |url=https://truecopythink.media/environment/kudankulam-antinuclear-activist-sp-udayakumar-talks-to-manila-c-mohan-interview-part-2 |work=True Copy THINK |author=എസ്.പി. ഉദയകുമാർ, മനില സി. മോഹൻ |date=February 3, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025 }}</ref>

Author and environmentalist [[Ameer Shahul]] in an opinion piece in [[The News Minute]] questioned the financial sustainability of the project, citing the high construction and operational costs of nuclear plants, as well as the long-term challenges of nuclear waste management.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shahul |first=Ameer |title=Opinion: CPI(M)’s controversial political shift over Cheemeni nuclear power project |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/opinion-cpims-controversial-political-shift-over-cheemeni-nuclear-power-project |work=The News Minute |date=20 February 2025 |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref> He argued that nuclear power in India has often over-promised and under-delivered, raising doubts about its economic justification.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shahul |first=Ameer |title=Opinion: CPI(M)’s controversial political shift over Cheemeni nuclear power project |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/opinion-cpims-controversial-political-shift-over-cheemeni-nuclear-power-project |work=The News Minute |date=20 February 2025 |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref>

==Current Status==

As of early 2025, the feasibility study is ongoing, while public opposition continues to grow. The final decision on the project is expected to depend on further government approvals, environmental assessments, and public consultations.

== See also ==
* [[IPHWR-700]]
* [[Nuclear power in India]]
{{Portal|India|Nuclear technology|Energy}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Nuclear power in India}}

[[Category:Proposed nuclear power stations]]
[[Category:Proposed power stations in India]]
[[Category:Nuclear power stations in India]]

Kerala Nuclear Power Station - Revision history

Jainil Prajapati at 07:49, 6 February 2026