Large-scale utilisation of thorium must form an important element of India's energy strategy, according to Dr Srikumar Banerjee, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy.

Delivering the convocation address at Mangalore University on Thursday, Dr Banerjee said nuclear energy has large growth potential and any India-specific energy strategy must consider nuclear energy as a major alternative. “While our known uranium resources are low, we have extremely rich reserves of thorium,” he said, adding that this can be converted to generate nuclear energy.

The entire thorium utilisation programme would eventually require several new technology inputs. Many of these technologies have to be developed for the first time and independently in India, as no other country is as dependent on the early implementation of the thorium fuel cycle as India is. He said India has already developed adequate core competence in all aspects of nuclear energy, and its roadmap for the nuclear programme is based on a blueprint that plans for sustainable energy security.

Solar power

Dr Banerjee said solar energy is yet another freely available primary power source, and it is prudent for India to invest its efforts in harvesting energy from the sun. The major bottleneck in tapping the potential of solar energy is the high cost of photovoltaic conversion. For achieving grid parity — the cost comparable with conventionally generated electricity — several innovative technology solutions are needed, he said.

Large capacity-building in fossil fuel-based power stations will, however, increase the country's share of the global carbon dioxide emissions from the present level of 5 per cent to 45 per cent. This is a matter of concern, he said.

In such a situation, the country must increase, in a sustained manner, the use of carbon-free sources of energy — the right combination of nuclear, renewable and fossil fuels, with sequestration, he added.

>vinayakaj@thehindu.co.in

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