Director General of World Nuclear Association, John Ritch Wednesday said India can play a lead role in the world in the development of nuclear energy.
Addressing an international conference on `Characterization and Quality Control of Nuclear fuels' here, Ritch welcomed the initiatives designed to end the isolation imposed upon India for its unwillingness to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Hoping that both American and Indian governments will take all possible steps to ensure that the nuclear non-proliferation regime is strengthened rather than weakened, he urged the need to cooperate in the fullest possible measures in realising the potential of nuclear power to achieve the global clean energy revolution which the world needs urgently.
Speaking on the occasion, S Banerjee, director, Bhabha Atomic Research Center and member, Atomic Energy Commission said India is capable of handling the need for nuclear fuel in the view of the country's planned nuclear facilities.
Stating that it is imperative that for economic growth, 4.5 to 5 per cent electricity growth is must, he said India is way ahead when compared to Europe.
However, it is unfortunate that India has been using large biomass and coal energy. But since it is a signatory to a protocol not to have carbon dioxide emissions the only option is nuclear energy which is clean energy, Banerjee felt.
However, India is not going on a fast pace mode as there are limited resources of uranium but is now trying its best to expand by having fresh excavations, Banerjee said adding, India is also making efforts to use thoranium but for that it has to wait for fast reactors.
India is likely to get uranium from foreign countries once agreements are signned. This will increase the capacity for nuclear production in the country, he said.
Dr Yuri Sokolov, deputy director general, Department of Nuclear Energy, International Atomic Energy Agency, in his address said that in many countries there was growing approval for promoting nuclear energy for future.
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