Nuclear Power : An inevitable option for sustainable development

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Nuclear Power An inevitable option for
sustainable development
Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy
Commission, India

• IAEA Scientific Forum 2007 on Global Challenges
  and Development of Atomic Energy, Vienna
• September 18-19 , 2007

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Evolving paradigm

• Greater confidence in developing societies moving
  up on the socio-economic development path
• Vastly enhanced energy demand and buying power
• Sustainability of energy resources (even Uranium
  in once-through mode inadequate)
• Global environment on the cliff edge

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Indian target - in global context(Source of
data BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2007)
Target 7000 TW(e)h Requirement for fossil
fluid fuel replacement
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The pathways for utilisation of nuclear fuel
resources

• Thorium cannot straightway be used as nuclear
  fuel as it has no fissile isotopes.
• Fast Breeder Reactors operating with Plutonium
  as fuel, produce more Plutonium than they
  consume.

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Development of an optimum strategy for
utilisation of given nuclear resources
300 GWe for more than 250 yrs from FBRs using
Plutonium-thorium and from reactors using
thorium-233U
174 GWe for 10-12 yrs from FBRs using recycled
uranium Plutonium
Th-U233 MSRs
Th-Pu based FBRS
Optimum time for introduction of thorium on large
scale
10 GWe for 40 yrs from PHWRs using uranium in
once-through cycle
RU-Pu based FBRS
Nat. U PHWRS
(After introduction of short-doubling-time FBRs)
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Global Nuclear Renaissance

• Reformation of global thinking necessary
• Consensus on closed nuclear fuel cycle

Risks

• Safety
• Environment
• Non-Proliferation
• (Technology solutions backed up by institutional
  control and responsible behaviour)

• Enhanced security risk to future generations in
  case of direct disposal of spent fuel
  (Plutonium mines)
• Tensions due to energy insecurity

v/s
However, inclusive partnerships on objective,
reliable and predictable basis with holistic
mutual understanding and trust is a pre-requisite
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• Thank You