Use of nuclear fuels can reduce carbon emissions: Srinivasan

Bangalore, Oct 30 (UNI) Supporting the need of nuclear energy, former Atomic Energy Department Chairman M R Srinivasan today said India should use nuclear fuels for large scale generation of power to cut down carbon emissions.

Dr Srinivasan, in his lecture on 'Nuclear Energy in India-Now and Beyond 2020' here, said India must reduce dependance on coal for power production as early as possible.

Stating that this was not easy, he said ''we have to depend on nuclear energy for large scale generation.'' In view of the civil nuclear cooperation with US, a target of 30 gw (one gigawatt is 1000 mw) of nuclear energy by 2020 is possible, he said.

Referring to development of thorium basedFast Breeder Reactors, he said it would take another 25 years, but India could build a 300 mw Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) in 2009. This would be a global first for thorium utilisation.

By 2070 the energy mix of mankind would consist of solar energy, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactors, he added.

There was also speculation that some way be found to tap the energy available in the hot rocks at great depths below the surface replacing the coal, oil and gas, he said.

Alleying the fears of nuclear leakages, he said India has the availability of well qualified and trained operating personnel with enhanced safety status of atomic power plants.

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