electricity. Though substantial development has taken place in power generation in India since independence, the energy shortage of 11.5% during lean time and 18% shortage during peak
time is plaguing our economy. In order to meet the increasing demands, India will have to increase imports of crude oil by 90% by 2010. A developing country which has to depend on external supplies will become vulnerable to other countries. To overcome shortage, renewable energy from diverse sources like biomass, solar energy, wind energy, hydel, geothermal, ocean energy projects are being set up. India's renewable energy programme is one of the worlds largest power programmes.
But these resources have their limitations. Only a small contribution can got from all these programmes put together. It is for reason, India is keen on establishing nuclear power stations in India. There are, at present 14 nuclear power plants and with the critacality attained by the Tarapur Atomic power plant recently, the present installed nuclear power capacity is raised to 4120 M We. Electricity produced in these plants helps to meet only 3 % of the demand. But there is scope for immense growth. India has a number of nuclear research and development centers with engineering technologies, huge manpower with construction and operational expertise. Bhaba Atomic research center (BARC) has designed a reactor ATBR, tailor-made for using thorium, taking into account the economy and safety factors. India has large thorium reserves capable of producing 300,000 M We of electricity over 3000 years. As there is a relative slackness in countries like America, nuclear plant manufacture are looking upon China and India as potential markets. India targets to raise nuclear plant to 20,000 M We 2020 and 40,000 by 2030.
Another advantage of nuclear energy is that, it does not depend on local factors. Unlike a hydroelectric plant which has to located near a water source or the solar panels to the setup in tropical zones, nuclear plants can be set up in any place. Now all safety measures are given top priority-even seismic resistant techniques are being installed. All efforts to dispose off the nuclear waste is also taken care of. Power is produced in nuclear reactors by slow chain reaction. When the chain reaction takes place rapidly, the result will be a nuclear explosion that will kill or maim a number of people as in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Nuclear energy is, at present being used in submarines, satellites, defence, etc. Each country is developing nuclear weapons to protect themselves from potential enemies. It si used beneficially in the treatment of cancer and in detecting cell damage. It is also used to preserve food, so that it can save millions of people by giving them good food. So, if the countries vying with each other to develop nuclear energy destructive purposes, make all efforts to use it for constructive means, then it will be a great boon mankind.
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