N-deal will give additional 20,000 MW: Govt

The govt said the Indo-US N-deal will result in the generation of an additional 20,000 MW of power.

The government said the Indo-US civil nuclear deal will boost the country’s modernisation programme as it result in the generation of an additional 20,000 MW of power in the next decade.

“We believe that once this deal is operationalised, we will be able to add 20,000 MW of clean power to our generation capacity,” Union Minister of State for Industry Ashwini Kumar said.

By 2012, there will be a need for 15,800 MW for lighting every house in the country’s interiors. Power is also required for tubewells. Around 75 per cent of this requirement can be met through nuclear power, Kumar said.

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“If India has to consistently attain nine per cent GDP growth, we need to have nine per cent additional power per annum. Nuclear power will play a major role in meeting this demand,” he said.

Expressing concern at the fast depletion of non-renewable sources of energy, he said, “Our coal reserves will last for another 80 years. We will need additional sources of power. In 60 years, we have added only 3,200 MW of nuclear power. This deal will help us add 20,000 MW in the next decade.”

Refuting the Left’s charges that the deal was against national interests, Kumar said, “Our perception is that the deal advances national interest in every way. It will enhance national security, which is directly linked with energy security.”

He hoped that the government, through negotiations, will be able to convince the Left parties about the value of the deal.