Govt committed to develop nuke energy

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Aug 20: Underlining the crucial need for energy security, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said his government was committed to develop nuclear energy. ''From a long-term perspective, nuclear energy and solar energy can play an important role in addressing our energy security needs.

Our Government is committed to the development of nuclear energy,'' the Prime Minister said at a ONGC function here. Specifying the need for energy, Dr Manmohan Singh said that real energy security implies assured supply of good quality energy at affordable prices.

He said, when the country aims for a 10 per cent growth rate the critical importance of energy security must be realised. ''India's energy needs, which will grow with the pace of economic development, cannot be met with oil and gas for long'', the Prime Minister added.

Expressing his concern over the growing import bills for imported crude oil, he said, as we grow, import oil bill will put an unbearable and an unsustainable burden on our economy.

The Chairperson of UPA Sonia Gandhi, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora and his deputy Dinsha Patel, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Tejinder Khanna, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit were among those present on foundation stone laying ceremony of ONGC's new office complex here.

Currently, the total domestic production by Indian companies is less than one-third of our current domestic consumption of hydro-carbons. ''As we know, oil and gas reserves in India are quite limited though there is always a scope to discover a new reserve through exploration,'' the Prime Minister said.

These facts compel us to think of a new strategy to deal with the rising energy demand. There is a need, for a a new paradigm of energy security to address our development needs, he added.

This paradigm, Dr Singh said, would have to focus on several issues: a less-energy intensive path of development, an increasing use of non-conventional and renewable energy sources, also aimed at reducing carbon emissions, and improving efficiency in production and consumption.

Such a strategy would have to be based on coordinated development and judicious use of domestic as well as global resources. This will require exploring new technological options, new financing means, identifying new sources and building new bridges with new partners including global partners.

''We need, therefore, to develop all our energy resources, with regards to, coal, gas, oil, hydro and nuclear along with renewables, such as wind and solar power,'' Dr Singh said.

Dr Singh outlines that there are many options of using alternative fuels and technologies. From a long-term perspective, he felt, nuclear energy and solar energy can play an important role in addressing our energy security needs.

''We also need to examine the potential of hydrogen as a fuel of the future. Hydroelectric resources too should be optimally utilised to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,'' the Prime Minister said.

Several non-conventional energy resources fall in the domain of high technology, and are presently commercially not viable. The immediate need is to develop these technologies to make such energy available to the masses in the shortest possible time.

Dr Singh said he was happy to know that Rajiv Gandhi Urja Bhawan will undertake a holistic research in all forms of clean and renewable energy sources. The technologies that will emerge from here will have to be commercially viable. ''Energy is a scarce resource,'' he added.

''I urge all political parties to appreciate the vital national interest of pursuing a sound energy security strategy. India is on the move and we must be able to address our growing energy demand.

No Government can afford to shirk this responsibility and hope to find favour with the people,'' Dr Singh said.

UNI

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X