The challenge for the nuclear community is to assure that nuclear power remains a viable option in meeting the energy requirements of the next century. It could be a major provider of electricity for base load as well as for urban transport in megacities. It can play a role in non-electric applications in district heating, process industries, maritime transport, water desalination, hydrogen production, and for applications in remote areas. It can contribute substantially to security of energy supply and it has the potential to be an almost inexhaustible long-term energy resource through the use of breeder reactors.
There are presently 22 reactors with a total capacity of 6780 MW in operation
India’s three stage nuclear power programme planned by Dr Homi Bhabha, which envisages large-scale utilization of India’s significant thorium reserves. It is in order to tide over the transition from fast breeder reactors to the thorium cycle that India needs uranium. Therefore, unlike the case of coal or oil or gas, where imports appear to be a permanent reality, uranium dependency would be for a limited period of time till India graduates to the thorium cycle. As far as India’s three stage nuclear power generation is concerned, we are just at the beginning of the second stage. India is among the very few countries pursuing this technology.
Advantages
- Clean Energy Source
- Most Reliable Energy Source
- Creates Jobs
- Supports National Security
Challenges
- High Initial Cost
- High Operating Cost-
Unlike renewables, which are now the cheapest energy sources, nuclear costs are on the rise, and many plants are being shut down or in danger of being shut down for economic reasons.
- Disposal of Nuclear waste:
The waste generated by nuclear reactors remains radioactive for tens to hundreds of thousands of years. Currently, there are no long-term storage solutions for radioactive waste.
- National security – Nuclear power plants are a potential target for terrorist operations. An attack could cause major explosions, putting population centers at risk, as well as ejecting dangerous radioactive material into the atmosphere and surrounding region.
- Accidents
In addition to the risks posed by terrorist attacks, human error and natural disasters can lead to dangerous and costly accidents.
The 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine led to the deaths of 30 employees in the initial explosion and has has had a variety of negative health effects on thousands across Russia and Eastern Europe.
A massive tsunami bypassed the safety mechanisms of several power plants in 2011, causing three nuclear meltdowns at a power plant in Fukushima, Japan, resulting in the release of radioactive materials into the surrounding area.
- Cancer risk-
Studies also show increased risk for those who reside near a nuclear power plant, especially for childhood cancers such as leukemia. Workers in the nuclear industry are also exposed to higher than normal levels of radiation, and as a result are at a higher risk of death from cancer.
- Competition with renewables
Investment in nuclear plants, security, mining infrastructure, etc. draws funding away from investment in cleaner sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal. Financing for renewable energy is already scarce, and increasing nuclear capacity will only add to the competition for funding.
