Nuclear sector facing challenges, says report

Ahmedabad, Oct 20 : As the nuclear power market is opening up in India with the government setting a target of achieving 20,000 Megawatt generation capacity by 2020 from about 4,000 MW at present, several challenges like limited fuel availability and generation technology constraints exist, a report says.

''In the long term, nuclear power generation capacity is expected to expand to nearly nine to ten times by 2032 as per integrated energy policy projections,'' says the CII-A T Kearney report on 'Sustaining Growth - Future of Indian power sector' presented at the recent India Energy Conclave 2009 here.

Nuclear power is also cleaner, more environment friendly and less sensitive to fuel price hikes as compared to traditional fossil fuel based plants, though concerns about safety, waste management and nuclear proliferation are likely to linger on, the report pointed out.

As a follow-up to the Indo-US nuclear deal, agreements have been signed with Mongolia, Russia, France, Kazakhstan and Namibia to increase collaboration in areas of civil nuclear cooperation, particularly for fuel procurement.

The international treaties have significant implications for India, as Indian players have an opportunity to import fuel and technology from Nuclear Suppliers Group, foreign players can collaborate with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to set up nuclear plants in India and Global nuclear players can enter into Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Indian companies to explore business opportunities across fuel supply, technology and components, the report said.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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