Fukushima lessons

The Japanese panels report must restore balance to the global nuclear debate

The Japanese panels report must restore balance to the global nuclear debate

Last years Fukushima disaster in Japan affected the prospects of nuclear power and the nuclear industry globally. The spectrum of reactions ranged from panic and political capitulation,as in Germanys decision to phase out nuclear power over an 11-year period,to the general rationality in France,which depends on nuclear power for 80 per cent of its electricity. It must be hoped that the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commissions report,released on Thursday,restores some sanity to the global nuclear debate. At the same time,the Indian governments decision to fast-track reactors 3 and 4 at Koodankulam and resuscitate the Jaitapur project should bring cheer to a country that faces the challenges of increasing energy supply and diversifying its energy basket to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The commissions strongly worded report blames Fukushima on human error. Government,regulators and operator Tepco colluded to ensure laws and regulations were unsystematic and not followed,safety lessons were not learnt,and inadequate preparations were made for a disaster. Although the report might be construed as favourable by both sides of the nuclear debate,its actually a win-win for all. While the people can demand absolute transparency on safety standards,the report also rescues nuclear energy from activists-errant who turned Fukushima into a handy tool to beat the nuclear industry with.

With an acute peak-hour power deficit of 13 per cent and 40 per cent of its population still without electricity,India cannot dispense with Jaitapur,which will provide power to 10 million homes. However,as the Koodankulam impasse showed,the government has a primary responsibility in instilling nuclear literacy and talking to the people well before a project is begun,listening to their legitimate fears and countering misinformation. Moreover,the Centre needs to move on the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of India. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board still reports to the Atomic Energy Commission. An independent nuclear safety body like the French ASN would make clearances much more credible and build public confidence in nuclear power plants.