By IANS
New Delhi : Emphasising the critical importance of energy security as India’s economy spirals, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday said his government was committed to the development of nuclear energy.
“From a long-term perspective, nuclear energy and solar energy can play an important role in addressing our energy security needs. Our government is committed to the development of nuclear energy,” the prime minister said while inaugurating the Rajiv Gandhi Urja Bhavan in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj.
Stressing on new strategies to deal with the rising energy demand, he said India’s energy needs cannot be met with oil and gas for long as the economy grows.
Manmohan Singh’s comments on the need for nuclear energy come at a time when his government faces its biggest ever crisis, with the Left and opposition parties protesting strongly against the civilian nuclear deal with the US.
“Currently, the total domestic production by Indian companies is less than one third of current domestic consumption. As we know, oil and gas reserves in India are quite limited,” he said.
“As we grow, our growing import bill for imported crude oil will put unbearable burden on our economy.
“We need a new paradigm of energy security to address our developmental needs. This paradigm would have to focus on several issues – a less-energy intensive path of development, increasing use of non-conventional and renewable energy sources, also aimed at reducing carbon emissions, and improving efficiency in production and consumption.”
Such a strategy, Manmohan Singh said, would have to be based on coordinated development and judicious use of domestic and global resources.
“This will require exploring new technological options, new financing means, identifying new sources and building new bridges with new partners.
“We need to develop all our energy resources – coal, gas, oil, hydro and nuclear along with renewable, such as wind and solar. Moreover, there are many options of using alternative fuels and technologies,” he added.
Without taking names, the embattled Manmohan Singh urged all political parties to appreciate the vital national interest of pursuing a sound energy security strategy.
“India is on the move and we must be able to address its growing energy demand,” he said.
“No government can afford to shirk this responsibility and hope to find favour with the people. That would not have been Rajivji’s approach to such matters of vital national importance,” he added, referring to the late Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of his 63rd birth anniversary.