India to use nuclear energy if made affordable: Sibal

New Delhi, July 20 (UNI) Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal today said India will use 54000 MW of nuclear technology by 2025 if made affordable and if the supply of nuclear fuel is assured.

''Generation cost of nuclear power is Rs 8 crore per MW while that of coal based power is Rs 5 crore per MW'' Mr Sibal said at the conference on 'Nuclear Energy Development and New Trends' organised by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

However, he noted that the outsourcing of manufacture of critical components to India could make nuclear power affordable.

At present India produces 3,360 MW of nuclear power, which constitutes 2.7 per cent of the total power produced in the country. The government aims to increase it to 27 per cent by 2025.

''We need to be assured that the supply of nuclear fuel will be available to India on regular basis,'' Mr Sibal said.

Nuclear energy requires investment, which is possible, when there is adequate growth. Thus West should co-operate in ensuring the growth of India, the Minister pointed out.

He also said that India should be given opportunities to develop indigenous reactors and other related equipment.

''India is quite capable of developing its own technology and the West should see to it that this is not restricted,'' he said.

Mr Sibal also said the West needs to ensure comfort levels for working with India.

It has to ensure that there is an end to the regimes that were put in the past, that nuclear agreement is reached in the lines of the talks that were originally carried out and that it does not put impediments to the supply of nuclear fuel to India, he further added.

UNI ARB VJ DB1909