Date:07/07/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/07/07/stories/2003070702081300.htm

National

`Harness nuclear, solar power'

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI JULY 6. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, has suggested large-scale harnessing of nuclear and solar power to generate energy, crucial for development and removal of poverty.

Inaugurating a symposium on "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development" organised by the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research here today, Dr. Kalam said the current sources of energy, oil and coal, were depleting and, therefore, one had to look for renewable sources. He envisioned setting up of a solar power station of the capacity of 500 MW, besides having a network of nuclear power stations. Dr. Kalam said there was tremendous hesitation in going in a big way for nuclear and solar energy and pointed out that the demand for power would rise to three lakh MW in two decades and the country would be required to tripple the present level of generation of one lakh MW.

The President wanted better utilisation of the existing power generation and distribution capacity. He said 40 per cent of the power generated was not reaching the consumers because of transmission and distribution losses. Distribution was as important as generation.

The proposed linking of rivers could lead to an additional hydel power generation of about 60,000 MW.

To achieve a growth rate of 9 to 10 per cent, the country should concentrate on five areas: agriculture and food processing, education and healthcare, communication and information technology, infrastructure development and self-reliance in critical technologies.

The two-day symposium is being held in honour of Prof. Jyoti Parikh, senior professor of the institute and an energy and environment specialist of world repute.

The institute Director, Radhakrishna, welcomed the gathering and the Reserve Bank Governor, Bimal Jalan, spoke.