IAEA is an international United Nations agency with a mandate to accelerate, and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world. The agency should ensure that any assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used for furthering any military purposes. The IAEA is authorized to establish and administer the source or fissionable material specific- safeguards to ensure its mandate. Once the safeguards document is approved by the Board of Governors of the IAEA, the country can approach Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) of countries for nuclear fuel supply for the reactors under the safeguards. There are six nuclear power reactors in India which are already under IAEA safeguards.
The safeguards consist of basic documents, relevant protocols, material supply agreements, verification of non-proliferation undertakings, and guidelines related to the implementation of the IAEA safeguards. The purpose is to have full control over the fissionable material, mainly plutonium produced in the nuclear reactors which are under the safeguards. The plutonium can also be used in nuclear weapons/devices with military applications.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Indo-US deal likely to be clinched
Left parties, part of the coalition government at the centre has withdrawn the support to the Manmohan Singh government on the nuclear issue. The India government has decided to go ahead with the deal. The reason to oppose the deal by Left Parties may simply be because USA is involved, and anything American should be opposed whether it is in the national interest or not!
Now, the trial of strength in the Lok Sabha will be called for by the President and one has to see whether Samajwad Party and the other splinter parties will be able to make-up for the loss of number of MPs from the Left parties. Winning the trust vote will take the deal past IAEA, and India can approach Nuclear Suppliers Group for nuclear fuel for its civilian reactors. Anyway, the Congress government has taken a bold step in the national interest. The success of the deal will also give a boost to the much needed privatization plan of nuclear power in India
Now, the trial of strength in the Lok Sabha will be called for by the President and one has to see whether Samajwad Party and the other splinter parties will be able to make-up for the loss of number of MPs from the Left parties. Winning the trust vote will take the deal past IAEA, and India can approach Nuclear Suppliers Group for nuclear fuel for its civilian reactors. Anyway, the Congress government has taken a bold step in the national interest. The success of the deal will also give a boost to the much needed privatization plan of nuclear power in India
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Indo-US nuclear deal is in national interest
Indo-US nuclear deal is in national interest – says Ex. President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to the Samajwadi Party. In case of a pull-out of Left parties from the government, Samajwadi Party is being asked to support the government from falling on India going ahead with the deal. There is also a lot of pressure from US, from President Bush, on India to go ahead with the deal before the next government in US takes over. In-spite of all these obstacles, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is all for the nuclear deal is really praiseworthy. It is purely on the basis of merit, in national interest and on global warming considerations. Nuclear power is environmentally friendlier as compared to coal-fired power plant.
If the government succeeds in clinching the deal, hats off to the government for the robust support for a good national cause. This also will wipe-out Left Parties from the national scene once for all.
If the government succeeds in clinching the deal, hats off to the government for the robust support for a good national cause. This also will wipe-out Left Parties from the national scene once for all.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Last push to Indo-US nuclear deal
Prime Minister of India is seeking Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi’s intervention to give a last push to the Indo-US nuclear deal in the face of Left parties stiff criticism. Left parties have decided to oppose any steps to operationalize the deal. The talks, on the deal with the Left parties are now rescheduled to June 25, 2008.
Though the deal is yet to be ratified by the US congress, the US government is still very keen in going for the deal and says: “India needs to make some tough choices”.
On it’s part, the US could have done much more than just putting the ball in India’s court. The US should take the India’s IAEA safeguards accord in its final form and prevail upon the NSG cartel to exempt India from the applicable conditions. The way US managed its other friendly non-NPT nation like Israel, the US should get the Congress approval (in-spite of Hyde Act stipulations), may be with some manageable or adjustable conditions, and present the final deal to the Indian government. It should be remembered that the deal is also going to aid US commercial interests in a big way.
Under such situations, may be, the Indian government be able to get consensus with the other political partners and may even risk the withdrawal of support from some parties and go for the deal. The condition should be: To acquire the same benefits and advantages as other leading countries with advance nuclear technology.
On Indian part, for any near-term enhancement in nuclear power contribution, India needs uranium from the NSG countries. If the deal is not coming through, it will be a big loss for India in its huge investments in the nuclear power plants and a bigger loss for Nuclear Power in general (IAEA to take note), since India has very ambitious nuclear power programs in the future.
Though the deal is yet to be ratified by the US congress, the US government is still very keen in going for the deal and says: “India needs to make some tough choices”.
On it’s part, the US could have done much more than just putting the ball in India’s court. The US should take the India’s IAEA safeguards accord in its final form and prevail upon the NSG cartel to exempt India from the applicable conditions. The way US managed its other friendly non-NPT nation like Israel, the US should get the Congress approval (in-spite of Hyde Act stipulations), may be with some manageable or adjustable conditions, and present the final deal to the Indian government. It should be remembered that the deal is also going to aid US commercial interests in a big way.
Under such situations, may be, the Indian government be able to get consensus with the other political partners and may even risk the withdrawal of support from some parties and go for the deal. The condition should be: To acquire the same benefits and advantages as other leading countries with advance nuclear technology.
On Indian part, for any near-term enhancement in nuclear power contribution, India needs uranium from the NSG countries. If the deal is not coming through, it will be a big loss for India in its huge investments in the nuclear power plants and a bigger loss for Nuclear Power in general (IAEA to take note), since India has very ambitious nuclear power programs in the future.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Finland’s "nuclear" Pride
World’s largest nuclear reactor is built on Finland’s western coast with an Indian designed turbine hall. As reported in TOI, this is the third reactor in Finland and going to produce 1,600 MW of electricity, when completed by 2011. The reactor will add to the nuclear power component of Finland’s available energy supply to 38% by 2020.
The site has become a tourist attraction which shows how safety of the 6,000 residents in the vicinity is ensured through design. Over 20,000 tourists are visiting the site every year. The public acceptance is ensured by crash-proof structure to negate any fear from terrorist activities and planned safe disposal of radioactive waste in deep stable 3-billion year-old bedrock.
The country has shown to the world as to how to answer the rising oil prices and how to meet increasing energy requirements without polluting the environment. The built-in safety features in the Finnish model is the answer to all the controversies with respect to the safety of the waste disposal and the public perception or belief of presence of enhanced radiation levels at nuclear reactor sites.
The site has become a tourist attraction which shows how safety of the 6,000 residents in the vicinity is ensured through design. Over 20,000 tourists are visiting the site every year. The public acceptance is ensured by crash-proof structure to negate any fear from terrorist activities and planned safe disposal of radioactive waste in deep stable 3-billion year-old bedrock.
The country has shown to the world as to how to answer the rising oil prices and how to meet increasing energy requirements without polluting the environment. The built-in safety features in the Finnish model is the answer to all the controversies with respect to the safety of the waste disposal and the public perception or belief of presence of enhanced radiation levels at nuclear reactor sites.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Uranium resources can last for another 100 years!
Nuclear power becomes a more relevant option in view of the potential of other cheaper options for greenhouse gas emissions. A new report (Uranium-2007) released recently finds that new discoveries and re-evaluations of known conventional uranium resources will be adequate to supply nuclear energy needs for at least 100 years at the present consumption level. Growing demand for nuclear power in developing countries such as India, China, Korea, Japan and the Russian Federation, and higher prices have spurred greater investment in exploration, and led to larger identified conventional uranium resources over the past two years. Projections for 2030 indicate a range of expected growth in demand from a low estimate of 38% to a high case of roughly 78%!
As per the estimate reported, the identified amount of conventional uranium resources which can be mined for less than US$130/kg to be about 5.5 million tonnes, up from the 4.7 million tonnes reported in 2005. Undiscovered resources, i.e. uranium deposits that can be expected to be found based on the geological characteristics of already discovered resources, have also risen to 10.5 million tonnes. The increases are due to both new discoveries and re-evaluations of known resources.
In contrast to some other energy resources such as oil, the geographical distribution of uranium resources remain quite varied. Currently, uranium is mined in 20 countries, with Iran being the latest entrant. Canada and Australia currently account for 44% of global uranium production, and other top uranium producers are Kazakhstan (13%), Niger (9%), Russian Federation (8%), Namibia (8%), Uzbekistan (6%), and the United States (5%).
As per the estimate reported, the identified amount of conventional uranium resources which can be mined for less than US$130/kg to be about 5.5 million tonnes, up from the 4.7 million tonnes reported in 2005. Undiscovered resources, i.e. uranium deposits that can be expected to be found based on the geological characteristics of already discovered resources, have also risen to 10.5 million tonnes. The increases are due to both new discoveries and re-evaluations of known resources.
In contrast to some other energy resources such as oil, the geographical distribution of uranium resources remain quite varied. Currently, uranium is mined in 20 countries, with Iran being the latest entrant. Canada and Australia currently account for 44% of global uranium production, and other top uranium producers are Kazakhstan (13%), Niger (9%), Russian Federation (8%), Namibia (8%), Uzbekistan (6%), and the United States (5%).
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Scientists celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Pokhran-II
May 11 marked the 10th anniversary of the Pokhran nuclear weapons tests. The celebrations were at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai. Former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was the Chief Guest on the occasion. It was time to rejoice the memories of the successful nuclear tests at Pokhran on May 11 and 13, 1998. Former Chiefs of Atomic Energy were present on the occasion. Just to remind the readers, India’s first successful nuke test was on May 18, 1974 at Pokhran on a Buddha Purnima Day. The celebration of the Pokhran day perhaps indicates that the option of nuclear tests, particularly hydrogen bomb tests (as suggested by one of the former AEC Chiefs) is still alive.
The capability of India in this field is now well established and India need not prove this to other countries. As per the present AEC Chairman, a moratorium was declared by the government in view of the fact that the tests of Pokhran II have generated enough data and a lot of advances had been made in simulation technology.
In view of the constraints of the on-going Indo-US nuclear deal deliberations, the option of nuclear tests in the future should not be surrendered. India needs to continue the nuclear-confidence building measures keeping China’s threat in mind. India should build up enough capabilities to deter a nuclear attack on its commercial and strategic assets. The recent successful launch of Agni III is in the right direction. India, due to acute shortage of uranium for its nuclear power reactors, needs US support for fuel, as a short term measure. In the long term, US may need India’s support in sustaining nuclear power worldwide via thorium fuel cycle capabilities.
The capability of India in this field is now well established and India need not prove this to other countries. As per the present AEC Chairman, a moratorium was declared by the government in view of the fact that the tests of Pokhran II have generated enough data and a lot of advances had been made in simulation technology.
In view of the constraints of the on-going Indo-US nuclear deal deliberations, the option of nuclear tests in the future should not be surrendered. India needs to continue the nuclear-confidence building measures keeping China’s threat in mind. India should build up enough capabilities to deter a nuclear attack on its commercial and strategic assets. The recent successful launch of Agni III is in the right direction. India, due to acute shortage of uranium for its nuclear power reactors, needs US support for fuel, as a short term measure. In the long term, US may need India’s support in sustaining nuclear power worldwide via thorium fuel cycle capabilities.
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