Date:12/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/12/stories/2007111259500900.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Magsaysay winner prefers wind power to nuclear energy

“Country can generate 45,000 MW power from wind”

Sandeep Pandey

HYDERABAD: Social activist and Ramon Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey has suggested that the Central Government concentrate on harnessing wind power instead of opting for nuclear fuel to meet the increasing demand for energy.

The country has a potential of generating 45,000 MW power from wind energy with much lesser costs, compared to nuclear fuel that involves huge costs. Wind power is currently contributing to five per cent of the country’s energy needs, against the three per cent of nuclear energy, and there was enormous potential if it is properly harnessed.

Beneficial to US

Speaking to The Hindu, Dr. Pandey, who was here on Sunday, said coupled with other non-conventional energy sources like solar, bio-waste and mini hydel projects, the country could easily meet its emerging requirements. Moreover, a majority of developed countries were rejecting nuclear energy and the Indo-US nuclear deal was only aimed at benefiting the American industry. On the developments relating to the 123 agreement, he said the deal was currently put on hold owing to opposition from the Left parties that were opposed to any deal with US and not nuclear energy.

As soon as the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party come to power without the support of allies, they would go ahead with installation of nuclear plants.

Dr. Pandey, who is the national convenor of National Alliance of Public Movements (NAPM), expressed concern over the hurried manner in which the Andhra Pradesh government had permitted the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to take up the uranium mining project in Kadapa district. While the necessary clearances were yet to be given by the Union Environment Ministry, the UCIL had commenced construction of housing colony for its employees in Kadapa.

This was because of the keen interest evinced by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in the project. The UCIL selected Andhra Pradesh as the destination for uranium mining owing to the fact that the Nuclear Fuel Complex to which the “yellow cake” mined anywhere across the country should be brought, was located here.

Work in Nalgonda was, however, yet to commence as there was no political interference there on the lines of Kadapa. “The Chief Minister’s brother was present during the public hearings where people were not allowed to express their views,” he said.