FEASIBILITY OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN SRI LANKA

WHAT IS NUCLEAR POWER?

Nuclear power is a clean and efficient way of producing energy through chemical reactions.

Nuclear energy is a form of energy released from the nucleus. An atom has a core consisting of two basic types of sub-atoms: protons and neutrons.

There are two ways to produce energy through the nucleus of the atom. They are nuclear fission and fusion

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is energy formed when the nucleus of an atom splits into two or smaller nuclei while releasing energy. Fission occurs when the neutron slams into a larger atom.

Nuclear Fusion

In nuclear fusion, two light nuclei merge to form a single, heavier nucleus. This process also releases energy because the finally formed nuclei’s mass is smaller than the sum of the two-initial nucleus. The reduced mass becomes the energy.

Process of Nuclear Power Plant

A nuclear power plant or nuclear reactor is a series of machines that can control nuclear fission to produce electricity. Pallets of the element uranium are used as the fuel or raw material of nuclear reactors. In the nuclear reactor, Uranium atoms break apart into particles releasing energy. This released energy turns into heat.
This heat boils the cooling agent of the nuclear reactor. Normally, water is used as the cooling agent. But sometimes, liquid metal or molten salt can also be used as the cooling agent. The steam from the boiling cooling agent turns turbines, and then the turbines drive generators or engines that create electricity.

Why do we need Nuclear Power?

Nuclear power is the largest source of clean power in the US. The electricity which has been released from nuclear power plants is carbon-free electricity. Also, it does not produce any greenhouse gasses in the process. So, this nuclear power plant procedure is one of the main air quality protecting energy sources. Using nuclear power as an energy source can avoid the release of more than 470 million metric tons of carbon per year.

According to the chart, nuclear power can be introduced as a power source with less air quality damage even than many renewable energy sources

Nuclear power plants are expensive to install but cheaper in operating costs. In third-world countries like Sri Lanka, we spend much of our money on fossil fuels as our energy source. Nuclear power is very efficient, with high energy production with low fuel consumption. The energy density of nuclear power is higher.

Also, the fuel availability is higher in nuclear energy. Though there is a limited supply of Uranium for nuclear power plants, just like fossil fuel, fossil fuel has a limited lifespan than Uranium. Uranium is estimated to last for additional 80 years than fossil fuel.

Normally, most renewable energy sources, such as solar power and wind, the productivity of them depend on weather conditions and other external pressures. But nuclear power is not similar to them. So this can be taken as a steady and predictable energy source.

Though the initial cost is high, we must establish this kind of energy source for our economy and the well-being of our environment.

Drawbacks to installing a Nuclear Power Plant

The main matter of nuclear power is the waste matter of the process. The initial material in the nuclear power plant is Uranium, and it remains radioactive waste after the process. There would be a higher amount of radioactive waste from a nuclear power plant. It can harm people in a different ways. Special, this can negatively affect human health. Nausea, vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, hemorrhage, destruction of the intestinal lining, central nervous system damage, and even death can be occurred in humans from exposing huge amounts of radioactive waste.

In nuclear power plants, there is a higher possibility of accidents.  As an example, the Chornobyl, disasters, and Fukushima Daiichi disaster can be introduced. So, preventing accidents in nuclear power plants is important. With this, the risk of nuclear power plants is higher.

As mentioned above, the cost of establishing nuclear power plant is higher. It is too much for a country that is not developed yet.

Uranium is also a non-renewable resource. So, though the fuel supply will be better than fossil fuel, uranium eventually runs out.

This powerful resource also has a side effect on the environment. Mining uranium is not an eco-friendly process. This can cause negative impacts such as erosion and water pollution. But, as a solution for this, the authorities have established some rules, regulations, and limitations on this process. Here for more information on that.

How does nuclear power effects climate change?

As mentioned above, nuclear power produces no greenhouse emissions. And CO₂ emission in this process is at a lower level. With the use of nuclear power, fossil fuel, and other air quality-harming energy sources, usage can be decreased. This would be a good effort to control climate change.

Here for more details on that.

Nuclear Power in Sri Lanka

Establishing nuclear power plant is Sri Lanka was discussed recently. As a solution for higher electricity demand and cost, nuclear power plant was proposed. It was said that Russia is involving in establishing power plant in Sri Lanka. Here is a news paper article related to this. Here for another article on this.

Actually, installing a nuclear power plant is bit complicated with current situation in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka now is passing an economical threatened period and disbursing money on a power plant is hard to imagine.

Also, establishing the power plant should be done carefully to minimize its harm, threats, and side effects.

The Climate Fact Checks team contacted  Ruwan Wijewardene, the President`s Advisor of Climate Change, to confirm the news on the nuclear power plant in Sri Lanka. According to Mr. Ruwan Wijewardene, there are two main countries that have suitable knowledge of Nuclear Power plants. They are Russia and France. Russia kindles on a nuclear power plant project in Sri Lanka. The Discussions are directing on this with Russia and Sri Lankan government. But still, there is no approval for this project from the cabinet. MR. Ruwan Wijewardene said that, with the country’s economic crisis and current situation, the probability of establishing a nuclear power plant is very low in Sri Lanka.

If Establish….

Energy source-

Uranium is used as an energy source in nuclear power plants every time. There are no Uranium deposits still found in Sri Lanka. Kazakhstan produced the largest share of Uranium in the world. Except that, Namibia, Australia, Niger, Russia, Ukraine, the US, France, Iran, India, and a few other countries have Uranium deposits. Here for more details on Uranium producing countries. So, with the establishment of the nuclear power plant, we must have bought Uranium from any of those countries, just like fossil fuel.

But more than fossil fuel, uranium’s availability is high. So, with this energy source, we can handle our energy need more than fossil fuel.

Also, only a small quantity of energy source is needed to produce energy. It is less than the fossil fuel amount used to produce the same energy. So, even if it has to buy the energy source just like fossil fuel, this seems to have more advantages.

Nuclear Reactors and Power Plant –

Installation of the nuclear power plant along with the nuclear reactor is too expensive. It is more expensive than coal-fueled or gas-fueled plants. With the current situation in Sri Lanka, it is harder to handle the cost of this. That is why we need support from a developed country.

Though the installation is high cost process, it is cheaper to run the plant. It will help to electricity supply and decrease the increasing electricity bill.

And the installation area is also important. With the older disastrous incidents with nuclear power plants, people would not be able to live nearer to such power plant. To control the remonstrance of people as well as minimize the harm if any accident occurs, an area with less population density should be chosen for the power plant.

Radioactive waste –

This is a major threat of the nuclear power plant and safety precautions to minimize the harm from them is important. This waste should be disposed away from human population and animals as well. Before the installation of a nuclear power plant, waste matter disposing method should be discussed with environmental organization and authorities as well as human health authorities.

Career opportunities –

A nuclear power plant can create new and different job opportunities for both professional and local people in Sri Lanka. 

-With Inputs from Mihiri Saparamadhu –