NTPC to Shift to Nuclear Power by 2070 for Environment
Dr. CK Asnani, Chairman and Managing Director of the Uranium Corporation of India Limited, announced that the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is planning to transition to nuclear power in line with the government's goal to phase out all fossil fuel-based energy generation by 2070. During his address at the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) on Dr Homi Bhabha Day, Dr Asnani underscored the crucial role of nuclear energy in environmental sustainability and highlighted its dual significance in revenue generation and environmental preservation.
He emphasised that "going nuclear is not just about revenue generation but also about preserving the environment." He noted that the Indian government has set a deadline for NTPC to close down all fossil fuel-based generation by 2070, making a shift to nuclear power a strategic imperative.
Dr Asnani also shed light on the historical context and multifaceted benefits of India's nuclear energy program, citing its contributions to critical sectors such as electricity, healthcare, strategic defence, and environmental sustainability.
He outlined four key imperatives that have guided India's nuclear trajectory. These imperatives include the vital link between electricity generation and national progress, the strategic importance of nuclear capabilities for security and stability, the role of nuclear medicine in medical advancement, and the environmental sustainability aspect of nuclear energy.
Dr. Asnani emphasised the role of nuclear deterrence in averting a potential third world war and highlighted the significant progress India has made in electricity generation, with a capacity increase from 1,300-1,400 megawatts in 1950 to 475,000 megawatts today. This underscores the importance of nuclear power in India's development, especially after the end of British colonial rule.