Statement by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, India

Mr. Chairman,

Allow me to compliment the IAEA and the Government of People’s Republic of China and OECD/NEA for setting up this important Conference which allows us to look ahead and attempt to shape the future of nuclear energy to meet increasing developmental aspirations of the world at large without adding to the burden of carbon dioxide emissions. Growth in energy demand as a result of rapid economic progress in large emerging countries like India, China and others, and the climate change concerns have created conditions favourable for nuclear renaissance. Concerns relating to availability of fossil energy have led to a rethink on use of nuclear power in some countries. In this context we need to be aware of the factors that have led to barriers to growth of nuclear power in a large number of countries thus far. It is also clear that these factors vary from country to country. Appropriate nuclear power technologies to address such issues are the need of the hour.

For a smaller country, perhaps, one needs a relatively small nuclear power unit that needs minimum refuelling with an assurance on reliable fuel supply. On the other hand, for a large country, which may necessarily have to be heavily dependent on nuclear power, ability to manage the nuclear fuel cycle, on its own, would be a crucial factor. Further, if the growth in nuclear power takes place along the expected lines, nuclear fuel recycle in a breeding mode would be necessary. For nuclear power to grow worldwide we, thus, need a basket of appropriate technologies that cater to diverse needs.

Concerns relating to safety, security and proliferation have led to a significant barrier to expanding the global reach and volume of deployment of nuclear power. In the context of technology transfer and international cooperation these issues have become a major constraining factor. Several institutional and management frameworks at national and international level have been considered. Even today these occupy a large share of our efforts and resources. In this context, let me point out that at present only a small fraction of the current fleet of power reactors is subject to a rigorous administration of IAEA safeguards. While this is undoubtedly important, such an approach alone is unlikely to be sustainable in producing the desired results particularly in the context of the expected large scale growth in nuclear power deployment. It is thus necessary to find technology-based solutions that provide an integrated answer to the issues of safety, security and proliferation while producing large scale nuclear power in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

In India, we are, indeed, working on an approach that would enable us to maximise the role nuclear power can play in meeting our energy needs, consistent with the energy resource profile at our command. At the same time, we are also pursuing development of technologies that would address the concerns in the background of large scale deployment of nuclear power. In my presentation later in this Conference, I would cover this aspect in some detail. Several dimensions of our current nuclear power programme are highlighted in the exhibition organised by Nuclear Corporation of India during this Conference.

While we are pursuing our indigenous development of nuclear technologies to meet our national requirements, we are indeed encouraged in speeding up realisation of our energy security with minimum carbon dioxide emissions through additionalities that are now possible as a result of opening up of international civil nuclear co-operation. Concurrently, we also stand ready to share our experience with friendly countries. This experience is likely to be more relevant and beneficial to them as compared to other available options.

Mr. Chairman, the world needs more focussed work on developing relevant technologies and equipment. India’s 220 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors with advanced safety features and high level of reliability could be of considerable interest especially in the developing world. Similarly our 300 MWe Advanced Heavy Water Reactor offers technology-based solutions that we seek globally for the next generation reactor systems. While giant reactor systems are on offer by the major manufacturers, the simple truth may be that small and medium reactors may be suited to meeting the requirements of more countries and we are willing to do our bit here. And in the final analysis, the world needs human resources that can man and drive these systems. In India, there has been a sustained effort to develop the right kind of manpower in sufficient numbers for our requirements. Again, we are willing to make a modest contribution to helping countries that seek such assistance. But we would also like to underline that more is expected of the international community in such areas.

If there is to be a realistic chance of meeting the expectations generated by the nuclear renaissance, there has to be prioritisation of attention and resources on the part of the IAEA and its member states. As the IAEA looks to supplement its budgetary resources by almost 100% in the coming years from the current levels, there is a need to ensure that member states derive real benefits from the increased budgetary allocation. This would be only possible with greater stress on technical cooperation, nuclear power, fuel cycle and nuclear science. As things stand today, over 55 per cent of the Agency resources are expended on nuclear verification and administration while technical cooperation, nuclear power, fuel cycle and nuclear science receive less than ten per cent each. Surely, this is unacceptable. India has attached the highest importance to INPRO from the commencement of this programme and undoubtedly this has a great potential towards making nuclear energy accessible in a safe and sustainable manner particularly to the latest nations turning in this direction. And yet, it had not still been possible until recently to give support to INPRO out of the Agency’s regular budget.

To conclude, Mr. Chairman, I have felt for some time now that in the context of nuclear power development, we are at cross-roads. On the one hand we have to address the challenge of rapidly depleting fossil energy resources and the threats of climate change. On the other hand we are grappling with fears relating to safety, security and proliferation. With every passing day, these issues are likely to assume increasingly alarming proportions. While institutional controls through national and international frameworks are essential, they, by themselves, are unlikely to be able to cope up with these concerns particularly in the context of large scale nuclear power needs. Delay in deployment of nuclear power, on account of such fears, perhaps poses an even greater danger to humanity through tensions on account of barriers to development and non-availability of energy resources and disasters that can come about as a result of climate change. In our view, the only practical way would be to rapidly bring in technology-based solutions that provide an integrated answer to all these issues, and deploy them as early as possible. This, surely, cannot be done through a view of the world that is discriminatory and uneven about involvement of all stake holders. The IAEA, with its statute that clearly looks at these issues in a holistic way, could do well to bring to bear its vast scientific and technological resource and capability in finding appropriate answers. This, perhaps, is the only way for our sustainable future.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.