Nuclear energy a must-have: Indian PM

Tue, Aug 21, 2007The Straits Times
NEW DELHI - INDIA is committed to developing its nuclear energy capability and other sources of power because its oil bill will impose an 'unbearable burden' as growth continues, its Prime Minister said yesterday.

Dr Manmohan Singh's comments came as his government faces its worst crisis since coming to power in 2004, with communist allies angered by a nuclear energy deal with the United States and threatening to withdraw their support.

'As we grow, our growing...bill for imported crude oil will put an unbearable burden on our economy,' Dr Singh said at an inauguration ceremony for an energy research institute dedicated to the memory of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

'We need to develop all energy resources, mainly coal, gas, oil, hydro and nuclear, along with renewable, such as wind and solar,' he said.

'From a long-term perspective, nuclear energy and solar energy can play an important role in addressing our energy security needs. Our government is committed to the development of nuclear energy.'

India imports 70 per cent of its oil needs, and rising global crude prices pose policy challenges for
Asia's third-largest economy, which has grown at an average rate of 8.6 per cent in the past four years.

That expansion has been accompanied by a rapid rise in demand for energy.

A bloc of four communist parties has 60 lawmakers in India's Lower House of Parliament, and while the parties are not a part of the ruling coalition, they shore it up from outside.
They have warned of 'serious consequences' for the government if it presses forward with the nuclear deal, which still needs to be approved by the US Congress as well as international bodies.
The communists say the nuclear accord with the US impedes India's sovereign foreign policy and lacks majority support in the House.

Dr Singh said it was important to create awareness about the economics of energy.
'Each time our utilities have to raise rates and our oil companies have to raise prices, extraneous considerations come in,' he said.

'I urge all political parties to appreciate the vital interest of pursuing a sound energy security strategy. India is on the move and we must be able to address its growing energy demand.'
The communist parties and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, usually bitter rivals, want a review of the accord, which will help end India's three decades of nuclear isolation and give power plants in the energy-starved country access to US technology and equipment.
The agreement would allow India to purchase reactors from Areva, General Electric Co and other producers to help plug an electricity shortfall that shaves two percentage points off annual economic growth.

India may review retail fuel prices after the monsoon session of Parliament ends in mid-September if global prices remain high, oil ministry officials say.

Review: I agree that in such a rapid developing country, it needs more energy. At the present oil or fossil fuel is the most important source of energy. It is used in various forms for motor vehicles, to generate electricity and to run a host of other man-made machines. Without oil, meaning energy, India economy growth would be affected.

Oil despite its versatility, pollutes the environment no matter how careful we handle it. Also oil is found no matter how careful we handle. Also oil is found in certain areas around the globe. Thus it is often used as a political weapon by oil-producers to make India submit to their demands. Finally oil is a non-renewable source of energy. It will run out eventually. 'From a long-term perspective, nuclear energy and solar energy can play an important role in addressing our energy security needs. ‘It is important that India have its own supply of energy.

Other sources of energy are solar energy, hydro-electric and nuclear energy.

Solar energy seems to be a possible alternative. At present, much research is being carried out to find more efficient ways of harnessing the sun’s energy. Some of us may even have solar heaters installed in our homes. These devices cut down the need of electricity to heat water. Also they do not pollute the environment. Solar panel may be produced to serve the needs on entire communities.

Hydro-electric plants are not as attractive as they appeared to be before. The main drawback to this form of energy production is that a hydro-electric plat needs a dam. Natural dams are few and far in between. Man-made dams alter the eco-system so much that is better that they are not constructed. Our environment is more precious than a few megawatts of electricity.

The main concern is nuclear energy. Nuclear energy produces too much toxic wastes that the plants do not really know how to get rid of. Dumping them in the sea or wastes remains toxic for centuries. Also the meltdowns that occurred at Chernobyl and Three-mile Island indicate how dangerous nuclear plants can be. In 1979, the cooling system failed at the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Radiation leaked, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee. The problem was solved minutes before a total meltdown would have occurred. Fortunately, there were no deaths. In 1986, a much worse disaster struck Russia's Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In this incident, a large amount of radiation escaped from the reactor. Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to the radiation. Several dozen died within a few days. In the years to come, thousands more may die of cancers induced by the radiation.

There is talk of nuclear fusion where virtually no waste is produced. Such things have to be handled with extreme care for we do not know the consequences. Just a few decades ago, the world extolled the use of nuclear reactors that we dread now.

India may create nuclear bomb in future which would be a threat to other countries. In August 6, 1945: The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, killing over 100,000. And in August 9, 1945: The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, killing over 40,000. Countries are worried that this may happen. We do not know whether India would develop nuclear weapons of mass destruction. If India has other countries would also want. This will cause political problems.

I think building a nuclear reactor is the only solution to India hunger for energy. Nuclear energy is inexpensive, energy generation is the most concentrated source, waste is more compact than any source, extensive scientific basis for the cycle, easy to transport as new fuel, no greenhouse or acid rain effects. Overall it is the best source of energy. If it is use for the greater good it would be essential but if it falls on the wrong hands it would be destructive.