Why in news?
Nuclear power is in need as the renewable power is subject to weather.
What are the issues with renewable power sources?
- Solar power is available only when the sun is shining unless it is stored in some way.
- In a year, a solar PV plant of one KW capacity generates no more than 2,000 KWh of electricity,
- A coal-based or nuclear plant can generate around 7,000 KWh/year per KW of capacity
- The hydro power is unevenly distributed across months.
- There is a need of balancing Power source even there is a fully developed renewable power source.
What are the problems with coal power?
- There is a threat of climate change and the concern for environmental pollution.
- The plants to reduce air pollution will increase the cost of coal power.
- The cost of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is quite high and requires more energy.
- The cost of coal power would be some 30 to 50 per cent higher in coming days.
What is the need for Nuclear Power in India?
- To provide power when the sun is not shining, this balancing power is needed.
- In India, more than 70 per cent of petroleum products are based on imports.
- India’s known extractable coal reserves will run out in about 40 years.
- For India, renewable energy is inevitable and nuclear option should be retained as an insurance.
- Nuclear power helps diversify the system and adds to energy security.
How Nuclear Power can be generated effectively?
- India announced an agreement with international companies to set up 7,000 MW of nuclear plants based on our domestic technology.
- Nuclear plants have been run in the past with more or less constant load.
- Design change will assure to run the power plants in a required load.
- The cost of nuclear electricity will depend on how it is financed and cheap storage systems should be developed.
- India can install the nuclear plants without delay and within budget, they are economically attractive.
Source: The Hindu
