Tweak nuclear cooperation with the US
Chennai International Centre (CIC) in a virtual interaction presented a set of experts led by former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission of India, Dr Anil Kakodkar on the topic, Is nuclear energy a solution for sustainable development? The experts dealt in detail with the prospects for thorium-based nuclear power, a theme dear to Dr Kakodkar.
Last year, in detailed presentations that included an interview with Dr Kakodkar, IE presented a strong case for priority for nuclear power. The advocacy focussed on several favourable factors. These included the prospects to re-use spent uranium fuel, storage of which is posing serious problems. Reusing these along with thorium has the potential for fully consuming the fissionable part. This also addresses the risk of diversion to make nuclear weapons. Nuclear power is a clean source of energy; thus, it addresses environmental concerns. With the abundance of thorium in India, this can also facilitate continuous expansion of nuclear capacity in India.
I covered the President Bush-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meeting at Washington in July 2005. Their joint statement mentioned closer cooperation in agriculture, higher education and nuclear power among other things. Manmohan Singh staked his all in getting the nuclear deal passed by Parliament: the leftists, on whose support the UPA government existed, opposed the deal tooth and nail and withdrew support. Dr Singh managed to get Parliament’s approval and emerged stronger for the effort.
 Sadly, 16 years later, the promised cooperation from the US did not result. The absence of a strong lobby of American nuclear power manufacturers was also a cause for the non-starter.
At the CIC meet the enthusiastic participation of three experts from the US was especially welcome. IE earlier pointed to the interest of TerraPower of Bill Gates engaged in a similar pursuit. IE suggested pursuing the matter with such American efforts. This should bring a twin advantage: the prospects for the flow of large investments by American corporations on creating large capacity nuclear power plants in India. Second and, more important, is the potential for the US and Indian companies jointly establishing smaller capacity nuclear plants in developing countries. Like in space, Indian capability to produce nuclear power equipment at modest costs, with capacities in the range of 200 MW-250 MW, will ideally fit in with the expansion plans of developing countries with modest grid sizes.
