Why so much importance on nuclear energy ?
When a country of the size of India begins to grow at the rate of 9%
per annum, with the prospect of even higher rates of growth, energy
becomes a critical issue, repeats Indian PM as he dedicates Tarapur
Atomic Power Station - 3 & 4 to the nation
by Manmohan Singh
Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
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Tarapur is where India's quest for developing nuclear energy began in
1969. Tarapur is a shining example that India can do it; that we can
overcome hurdles. It, therefore, holds special significance for our
country's journey towards the building of a strong and self-reliant
economy.
Tarapur stands as a tribute to the visionary leadership of Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Homi Bhabha and to all those nuclear scientists
and engineers who have helped to translate that magnificent vision into
reality.
Their hard work has today earned us a place among the leading nations
of the world in the area of nuclear technology. On behalf of a grateful
nation, I salute all the scientists and engineers for this great
national effort.
I would particularly like to compliment the Nuclear Power Corporation
of India and all those in the Department of Atomic Energy, Indian
industry, our R&D facilities and Universities who have made the
development of TAPS 3 and 4 possible.
It is truly an outstanding effort, achieved in the face of adverse
circumstances and challenges of the last few decades. I congratulate
each and every one of you. This is a moment of pride for all Indians.
The development of our indigenous capability in the area of nuclear
power generation demonstrates that where there is a will there is a way.
Starting from humble beginnings in the 1960s, the country today has
seventeen power reactors, largely Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor
plants. Those that we have developed are state-of-the-art facilities. As
we move forward on development of fast breeder reactors and thorium
reactors, I have no doubt that we would in the future exercise global
leadership in these technologies.
There can be no greater tribute to our capabilities than the fact
that Units 3 and 4 of TAPS have been commissioned ahead of schedule and
well within the sanctioned cost.
Why do we place so much importance on nuclear energy ? I have no
doubt whatsoever that the sustainability of our long-term economic
growth is critically dependent on our ability to meet our energy
requirements of the future.
When a country of the size of India begins to grow at the rate of 9%
per annum, with the prospect of even higher rates of growth, energy
becomes a critical issue.
A lot has been written and said on what our energy requirements will
be. A few simple truths stare us in the face. First, our proven
resources of coal, oil, gas and hydropower are totally insufficient to
meet our requirements. Second, we do not enjoy the luxury of an either -
or choice. India needs energy from all known and likely sources of
energy.
Third, the energy we generate has to be affordable, not only in terms
of its financial cost, but in terms of the cost to our environment.
Nuclear power is recognised as an important and environmentally
benign constituent of the overall energy mix. There is today talk the
world over of a nuclear renaissance and we cannot afford to miss the bus
or lag behind these global developments.
We are fortunate to have vast thorium resources, which we must
harness. India's three-stage nuclear power programme thus forms the
bedrock of our long-term strategy.
This unique thorium-based technology will become an economically
viable alternative over a period of time.
At the same time, our uranium resource base is limited. We have,
therefore, consciously opted for a closed fuel cycle approach ever since
the beginning of our nuclear power programme. We need to expeditiously
develop fast reactor technologies and intensify efforts to locate
additional uranium resources in the country. Government will extend its
full support in this regard.
Even as we pursue our three-stage programme, it is necessary to look
at augmenting our capabilities.
We need to supplement our uranium supplies from elsewhere even as the
DAE has taken a number of laudable steps to maximize output within the
limited resources. We must take decisive steps to remove the
uncertainties that result from shortfall in fuel supplies to avoid
disruptions in our nuclear power production programme.
We need to pave the way for India to benefit from nuclear commerce
without restrictions. We need to enable our industries to gain access to
cutting edge technology, and we need to create opportunities for our
scientists to participate in the international exchange of scientific
ideas and technical know-how.
We have set a modest target of 20,000 MW of nuclear power generation
by the year 2020. This can be doubled with the opening up of
international cooperation.
This cooperation will not be dependent on any one country and we will
source supplies from many of the countries in the Nuclear Suppliers
Group including the United States, Russia, France and Japan.
However, our international cooperation with these and other countries
cannot become effective until the Nuclear Suppliers Group adapts its
guidelines to enable nuclear commerce with India.
The NSG itself has made it clear that they will not do so till the
India specific Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA is finalized.
Once these and other steps are taken, India can commence civil
nuclear cooperation with all the 45 members of the Nuclear Suppliers
Group.
This will signal the end of our international isolation of the past
few decades. India is now too important a country to remain outside the
international mainstream in this critical area.
I have full confidence in our scientists and engineers and believe
that the removal of iniquitous restrictions and shackles on our
programme will enhance our indigenous capabilities.
We will do nothing to hurt our capacity to solve our problems
ourselves. The pursuit of self-reliance will continue to be the key
principle of our policy. A strong nuclear energy programme is in our
vital interest and is important for our scientific development, energy
needs and national security.
It will add to our capabilities and strength as a united nation. With
your dedication and track record of accomplishments, I am confident that
our domestic technological capability will only grow in strength.
Our country is fortunate to have a person of the eminence and
distinction of Dr. Anil Kakodkar to guide the development of the
country's nuclear programme.
Finally, I must also compliment all of you for the impeccable safety
record of our nuclear industry. With these words, I dedicate Units 3 and
4 of the Tarapur Atomic Power Station, India's first 540 MWe nuclear
power plant, to the service of the Nation."
Outlook, India |