INDIA CALLS FOR ADDRESSING BARRIERS
TO GROWTH OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
India has called
for addressing the barriers to the growth of nuclear energy, in
the larger interest of the humanity. Addressing the General Conference
of the International Atomic Energy Agency, currently in session
in Vienna, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Anil
Kakodkar said that unless this is done urgently, the threat to
global climate and tensions in the world would assume unmanageable
dimensions. Clear signs to this are already visible, he said.
The "Atoms for peace initiative launched 50 years ago has indeed
led to impressive growth in the share of nuclear power, in the
total electricity production as well as items of other non-electricity
applications," Dr. Kakodkar said.
The Chairman pointed
out that growth of nuclear energy in fast growing economies with
large populations should be a matter of global interest. Wherever,
there are no genuine concerns, curbs on development of nuclear
energy technologies must be examined and facilitated. Dr. Kakodkar
said that in this context, the IAEA's international project on
"Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycle," for the development
of next generation nuclear reactors and fuel cycle technologies,
assumes greater importance. It has the potential to provide technological
solutions to address the impediments in the way of deployment
of nuclear power world-wide.
Dr. Kakodkar disclosed
that development of Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWR) in India
will more than meet the objectives of the IAEA programme on innovative
reactors and fuel cycles, in terms of sustainability, economy,
safety and proliferation resistance. This is progressing according
to plans and in addition the AHWR system will enable India to
start in a big way, production of nuclear power using thorium.
Programmes are also underway to start the Fast Breeder Reactor
fuel cycle, clean up of uranium-233, accelerator driven systems
with thorium fuel cycle and a compact High Temperature Reactor.
These will help enhance share of nuclear power to 25 per cent
in total electricity generation, he said.
