Can nuclear energy deliver the promise of solving Indian energy crisis?
Can nuclear energy deliver the promise of solving Indian energy crisis?
India’s energy demand is increasing rapidly. Currently, nuclear energy is 4th largest source after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources, contributing less than 3% of total demand. Government estimates hope that proportion of nuclear energy will be increased to 25% of total demand by 2050. In the backdrop of several nuclear agreements and emphasis by successive Indian Governments, its effectiveness needs to be accessed.
For:
-Nuclear energy is considered clean source of energy, so less pollution in power generation will help in mitigating climate change and its negative impacts.
-Capacity of thermal power generation and coal production is limited. So, India needs a reliable alternative and nuclear energy is one such alternative.
-India can use other countries experience and technology in building nuclear power plants, as many countries like France; USA etc. have inked deal for such collaborations.
-India’s image as a promoter of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons will ensure seamless supply of nuclear fuel. One such MOU was signed recently between India and Australia.
-Research and Development in renewable sources is still in initial stage and it will take some more years to exploit their full potential. In the meantime nuclear energy can fulfill the demand supply gap.
Against:
-Safety of Nuclear reactors is a matter of concern. Fukushima disaster has shown the devastating impact in case of any accident.
-Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 has capped the limit of financial liability in case of accident up to INR 500 crore, which is far less than the actual damage caused by nuclear accident.
-Though reactors don’t produce green house gases, yet the radioactive wastes if not discharged properly can damage environment for generations.
-As many developed countries have started switching to new alternatives of nuclear energy owing to catastrophes of nuclear accident, India too should follow the same course of looking viable alternatives.
Conclusion:
India needs to address these apprehensions effectively. Though India has not harnessed the potential of nuclear energy, so it can be a temporary alternative in current milieu, but the future lays in renewable sources which are totally pollution free and India too should prioritize its development along with nuclear energy.
Discussion
- RE: Can nuclear energy deliver the promise of solving Indian energy crisis? -Deepa Kaushik (09/24/14)
- Nuclear energy has been in demand for meeting the power demand so far. Though it is considered hazardous and dangerous with respect to its impact in case of any accidents like explosion, still this source of energy is being relied upon so far for meeting the energy demand. We are considering the alternate source of energy especially for the electricity demand and supply, still we haven’t found any fuel as efficient as nuclear power which has an long journey to run.
If we closely perceive this topic, we have many inter-linked loops to be thought of while considering the ability to meet the promise of solving the energy crisis in our country. it is not just the energy demand that is having a upper hand for the concerns in our country, but the land allocation for the nuclear reactors, the surrounding environment, the cautious use of the radio-active isotopes and their disposal; every factor associated with the nuclear power needs to be analysed.
Nuclear power can meet our energy and power demand, but that requires setting up of new reactors at various parts of the country. Setting up more nuclear reactors would call for the higher probability of health hazard in the surrounding environment. Such a zone would be barren and would be non-productive and non-usable. Would it be wise to waste such a large portion of land in such a highly populated country like India? Would it be a smart move to put the living species in the nearby atmosphere into danger. Living species does not necessarily mean the human beings, but it is any micro-organism, plant, animal or any biologically viable life form, which would bear the negative impact of the nuclear radiations. These species being a part of the eco-system, enters the life cycle and indirectly affects all other life forms.
Next important note being the disposal of the radio-active elements is done with extreme caution. We cannot let even a small ray of scope for any carelessness. This would again bear its root in polluting the atmosphere and pose as a danger for the generations to come.
If we keep aside these accompanying issues of high concern, then we can confidently say that the nuclear energy would deliver the promise of solving Indian energy crisis. All that requires is new nuclear power plants to be set. Also, we would require a trust factor from the other countries and UN for utilization of the nuclear energy for the constructive purpose and not aiming the same for the total destruction.
