Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant

Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant

GS-3: Science and Technology

(IAS/UPPCS)

Relevant for Prelims:

Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, Bhavni Plant, Difference between Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor and Light Water Reactor, Chernobyl Disaster.

Relevant for Mains:

About Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, Russo-Ukraine War, Nuclear Power Plants in India, Concerns related to Nuclear Power Plants, Conclusion.

10/04/2024

Source: Indian Express

Why in news:

Recently, a drone attack on one of the six nuclear reactors at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) “significantly increases the risk of a major nuclear accident.”

  • This nuclear attack is the result of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. According to Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog agency, this is the first attack with serious consequences since five basic principles were set in November 2022 to avoid a serious radiological nuclear accident.
  • After this incident, an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council was held.

About Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant:

Main points:

  • It is established as the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
  • Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant is one of the four operating nuclear power plants located in Ukraine and has been operational since 1984.

Applied reactor:

  • Light Water Reactor has been used in this nuclear plant in which ordinary water is used as moderator and coolant.

Power Generation Capacity:

  • Zaporizhzhya NPP consists of six Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) units commissioned between 1984 and 1995, each with a total electrical capacity of 1,000 MW.
  • It accounts for about 40% of the total electricity produced by all NPPs in Ukraine and one fifth of Ukraine's annual electricity production.

Location:

  • Zaporizhia is located in south-eastern Ukraine, near Energodar. It is located on the banks of the Dnieper River, just 200 kilometers from the disputed Donbas Region where war continues between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces.

Possession:

  • This nuclear power plant was owned and operated by Energoatom Ukraine's state-owned nuclear power generation company.
  • Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been taken under control by the Russian army during the Russia-Ukraine war.

Supervision:

  • The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the global nuclear watchdog, provides technical assistance to the plant and conducts inspections to ensure compliance with international safety standards.

 

 

Difference between Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor and Light Water Reactor:

  • In Light Water Reactor, ordinary water is used as moderator and coolant.
  • PWR plants are the most common type of nuclear power reactor in the world.
  • Pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) are powered by natural uranium, while light water reactors (LWRs) are powered by low-enriched uranium.
  • A PWR consists of two water systems. One is called the reactor (primary) system which recovers the heat generated in the reactor and the other is called the turbine (secondary) system in which electrical power is generated by steam generated from the heat of the reactor.

Concerns related to nuclear power plants:

  • Attacks on nuclear power plants are contrary to international humanitarian law, specifically Article 56 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions.
  • Additional Protocol I to the Convention: Safety of hazardous works and establishments.
  • The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 also serves as a reminder of why it is important to ensure the highest standards of safety and security at all nuclear power plants.

Chernobyl Disaster:

  • The Chernobyl accident in 1986 was the result of a faulty reactor that was being operated with inadequately trained personnel.
  • The destruction of the reactor by steam and fire from the resulting explosion resulted in the release of at least 5% of radioactive reactor material into the environment, with deposition of radioactive material in many parts of Europe.
  • This disaster was the only accident in the history of commercial nuclear power where deaths occurred due to radiation.
  • Two workers at the Chernobyl plant died as a result of the explosion on the night of the accident and 28 more died within a few weeks as a result of acute radiation syndrome.
  • About 3,50,000 people were evacuated from the area as a result of the accident, but rehabilitation of the areas where people were relocated is ongoing.

Major initiatives towards development of nuclear power plants in India:

  • Nuclear energy is the fifth largest source of electricity in India, contributing about 2% of the country's total electricity generation.
  • India currently has more than 22 nuclear reactors operating in 7 power plants across the country, producing a total of 6,780 MW of nuclear power.
  • Of these reactors, 18 are Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and 4 are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant:

  • From December 26, 2023, India is working on a plan to develop the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant with the help of Russia.
  • Construction of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant was started in March 2002 in Tamil Nadu.
  • The first power unit of Kudankulam NPP has been operating with a capacity of 1,000 MW since February 2016. The plant is expected to start operating at full capacity by 2027.

Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3):

  • In January 2021, Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) was connected to the grid, India's first 700 MWe unit and the largest indigenously developed version of PHWR.

Joint effort of NPCIL and NTPC:

  • The Government of India has permitted joint ventures between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to advance India's nuclear programme.
  • NPCIL is implementing joint venture with National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
  • The government is also promoting the expansion of nuclear installations in other parts of the country. For example, in the near future a nuclear power plant will start operating in the city of Gorakhpur, Haryana.

Bhavni Plant:

  • India is also working on a completely indigenous thorium-based nuclear plant ‘Bhavni’, which will be the first of its kind to use uranium-233. Experimental thorium plant ‘Kamini’ already exists in Kalpakkam.

Conclusion:

  • The repeated shelling of the Zaporizhia nuclear plant poses a major threat to the lives and property of European citizens and both Ukraine and Russia can be held responsible. Both the countries should follow the Geneva Convention protocol which is already signed by both the countries.

------------------------------------------------

Mains Question

Currently, Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant is in the news due to drone attack. Comment.

Discuss the major initiatives towards development of nuclear power plants in India.