Finnish nuclear regulator tells Indian official of EPR problems

From The Hindu newspaper: "Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh heard a sobering assessment of the Areva's Finnish reactor project (pictured left) — which is running four years behind schedule, with cost overruns hitting 2.7 billion euros — from that country's nuclear regulator.

In a presentation made to Mr. Ramesh and a visiting Indian delegation in Finland earlier this week, Finnish regulator STUK put the blame for the crippling delay on Areva, for taking on the job without the requisite competencies, without experienced partners, and without completing design and engineering work before it started construction.

“In all of the Areva's earlier projects, the owner and licensee of the French nuclear power plants EdF had played the important role as the architect-engineer and had been responsible for the construction management,” The STUK told Mr. Ramesh. “at the start of the project it was found that many of the experienced nuclear manufacturers who had contributed to the earlier Areva projects had left the business. The Areva had to find new subcontractors and to coach them in nuclear manufacturing.”

The Finnish regulator added that the original schedule was “too ambitious” for a nuclear plant that is the first of its kind, larger than any previous project and built after a long gap in nuclear plant construction in Europe."

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Indian opponents of Jaitapur reactors forced to flee

Several activisists protesting the planned Jaitapur reactors near Mumbai, India, that will displace five villages, are on the run after bail was denied and local police slapped several charges of violent protest and attempt to murder against them. Local activists have approached the supreme court on their behalf but the activists, including a priest, fishermen and mango farmers and a tailor, remain on the run.

Schools shut down for two days in protest at Jaitapur reactors

About 70 schools in and around Madhban village, where the Jaitapur nuclear power plant is coming up closed for two days on January 10 and 11 as part of protests against the project. From kindergarten to high schools, around 70 schools with nearly 2,500 students shut down on Monday and Tuesday in 20 villages, including Madhban, Mithgawane, Karel, Niweli and Ansure that are the most affected. Land was seized from the villagers of Madhban by force. Five villages will be affected by the giant French nuclear power plant.

Fishermen, farmers and villagers in India rise in protest against French nuclear behemoth

Protests in Maharashtra province near Mumbai, India, are escalating in an effort to stop plans by French nuclear giant, Areva, to build two 2,500 megawatt nuclear reactors there (four are ultimately planned for the site). Citing the destruction of their livelihood, contamination of their land and people, and the unacceptable burden of radioactive waste, locals around the Jataipur site have been marching, protesting and getting arrested. Even some local congressional leaders are leaning toward opposing the plant. The 938 hectares of land required to set up the nuclear plant will come mainly from the five villages of Madban, Niveli, Mithgavane, Karel and Ansure on the Konkan coast. Of this, 700 hectares will be needed for the plant alone, while another 200 hectares will be needed for support infrastructure. Villagers claim that they were not told why the land was acquired in the first three villages. Please suport this important fight. If you are on Facebook, consider becoming a friend of No Nuke Kokan.