Amitabh Sinha: India N-abled

What hinged on the protracted Indo-US nuclear deal was India732;s long-term energy security. Here732;s how critical nuclear power is to the country732;s future

Fission vision

It produces more energy than any other source. Just 30 tonnes of low enriched uranium is enough to produce 1,000 MW of electricity. For a sustained 8 per cent growth, India would need to increase its primary energy supply 3-4 times in the next 25 years, according to a study by the Planning Commission.

Critical mass

Nuclear power makes for 3.1 per cent of our total electricity production, which is 3,900 MW of the total 1,26,839 MW power.

India8217;s energy pie

Total energy production 8212;1,26,839 MW

Thermal 8212; 83,772 MW or 66 pc

Gas 8212; 13,582 MW or 10.7 pc

Oil 8212;1,202 MW or 0.09 pc

Hydro 8212; 32,976 MW or 26 pc

Nuclear 8212;3,900 MW or 3.1 pc

Renewable wind, solar 8212; 6,191 MW or 4.9 pc

N-reactors: time to act

As of January this year, India had 16 nuclear reactors running. Seven were under construction, four had been ordered or planned and 15 proposed.

Fuel for future

India is planning to produce at least 20,000 MWe of nuclear power by 2020. With access to global fuel, w hich seems possible following the nuclear deal with the US, 40,000 MWe is a possibility.

Stage show

India8217;s N-power programme

First stage: Setting up Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. This stage has completed maturity. India has achieved self-sufficiency in heavy water production.

Second stage: Fast Breeder Reactors. A Fast Breeder Test Reactor has been operating since 1985. A Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor 500 MWe to be commissioned by 2010.

Story continues below this ad

Third Stage: Reactors based on Uranium 233-Thorium 232 cycle. A research reactor, KAMINI, fuelled by U-233 was commissioned in 1996. Design and development work on Advanced Heavy Water Reactor is in progress for demonstration of technology to utilise thorium.