Kerala to generate electricity from Thorium, receives Centre’s support, says Electricity minister

NEW DELHI: The central government has backed a project to generate low-cost electricity from Thorium available from the coast of Kerala. State Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty met Union Minister for Power RK Singh and reached the agreement. The Union Minister also assured to consider funding for projects Kasaragod-Wayanad Green Energy Corridor, electrification of tribal colonies, solarization of agricultural pumps and Cheemeni 100 MW Solar Park.

After the meeting, Krishnankutty told the media that it is estimated that there are two lakh tons of Thorium deposits in the black sands of the Kerala coast. This can be extracted and supplied to the 30 MW Thorium plant started at Kalpakkam nuclear power plant. The minister also said that the centre’s stance of promoting hydropower projects following the coal shortage is an advantage for Kerala. The minister also sought Centre’s help for several other projects costing Rs 11,000 crore.