The Hindu Business Line : Nuclear option

Apropos your editorial “The nuclear option” (Business Line, July 12), the share of nuclear power in electricity generation is around 2 per cent in India, against 73 per cent from thermal power, 24 per cent from hydro power and 1 per cent from other sources such as solar/wind power.

For an economy to grow a ratio of 1.5 has been suggested between GDP growth and electricity power growth.

That means an annual growth of 12-14 per cent in electricity generation is required to sustain the GDP growth rate of 8-9 per cent.

However, the growth rate is less than 3 per cent leaving a widening demand and supply gap in electricity generation and the consequent increase in our demand for import dependent fossil fuels.

In the light of the recent abnormal increase in international fossil fuel prices and our failure to step up power generation from hydel and thermal sources due to resource and infrastructure constraints, it is imperative to turn to nuclear power generation to meet the power needs.

However, our isolation from the international suppliers market following sanctions imposed by the nuclear fuel suppliers group is a stumbling block.

For a country of India’s size and population, a percentage of 15-20 in nuclear power in electricity generation will give economic growth a big boost.

Such a quantum jump is possible only through the removal of our isolation from the nuclear fuel supply group, headed by the US.

The signing of the nuclear deal will, therefore, give a big boost to cost-effective nuclear energy production, which is a sine qua non for an empowered India.

Let us not, therefore, see the deal through anti-US or religion-based prisms but view it as a golden opportunity to enhance our economic effectiveness.

P. Esakki Muthu Mumbai