India has an unenviable statistic with regard to power
availability. About 40% of India’s population does not have access to
electricity! If this is not shocking enough, the rest, who get electricity,
face shortages round the year. Also, industries in the country suffer economic
losses as a result of chronic shortage of electrical power.
India has limited conventional energy resources and a vast
population of 1200 million (in 2012). We are mainly dependent on coal (thermal
power) and water dams (hydroelectricity) for power generation. However, we are
already facing shortages of coal in India, and also coal produces CO2
(carbon dioxide), which is a major man-made cause of global warming and climate
change. Thus, in fact, we must actually ‘reduce’ the use of coal for power
generation. Talking of water dams, the large hydroelectric generation potential
in the country has been practically exhausted. Small hydroelectricity projects
(i.e. small dams) can provide some local relief, but cannot make large
contribution to the nation’s huge and growing demand for electricity.
Alternative sources like solar, wind etc. can only play a small supplementary
role, but they are neither cost-effective nor suitable for large-scale use
because of their several inherent limitations.
This leaves us with the reliable option of nuclear, which is
a perfect choice for today and tomorrow – as it is economical, safe,
environmentally benign and pollution-free. Nuclear power today has a small
share in the energy mix of India, but there are plans for its rapid expansion
in the coming years. Indeed, with our large reserves of thorium, nuclear is the
sure source capable of providing vast amounts of power for centuries without
depending on costly energy imports and without damaging the environment.