Govt note makes case for n-power

The note circulated by the Government at the UPA-Left meeting on Tuesday argues that supply and availability of energy sources are expected to be major challenges in the years to come. The six-page document accessed by The Indian Express presents a case for nuclear power saying it would remain 8220;competitive with other available sources of electricity8221;.

It says the power generated at the Kudankulam project is expected to cost around Rs 2.50 per kWh. The Government8217;s last-ditch attempt to convince Left parties with the note, however, found no success as the allies stick to their stand that they will not allow operationalisation of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

As far as the IAEA safeguards are concerned, it says 8220;the safeguards will be restricted to facilities that India identifies as civilian and such facilities will be eligible for international cooperation8221;.

Further, it says 8220;all externally supplied items will come under IAEA safeguards8221;.

The note outlines the Government8217;s strategies for long-term energy security. It explains that if India does not import nuclear reactor or fuel, the deficit by 2050 will be 412 GWe, which can be brought down to 7 GWe if the country imports light water reactors between 2012 and 2020.

8220;The deficit is practically wiped out in 2050,8221; it says.