(a) whether Government`s attention has been drawn to the decision of Germany to shut down its nuclear plants latest by 2022 in response to the rising public opinion after the Fukushima disaster;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Government has any proposal to review its nuclear power policy following Fukushima disaster; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a)&(b): There had been an ongoing political debate in Germany on closing down nuclear power, even before the Fukushima incident in Japan. The recent decision, of Germany to shut down all its nuclear power plants by 2022 has to be seen in that context. Of the 17 reactors in operation in that country, 8 reactors, mostly commissioned before 1980, have been shut down and the remaining are to be shut down in a phased manner by 2022. In 2010, nuclear power contributed about 133 Billion units of electricity in Germany. Given its location, low growth in demand and import possibilities, it has other energy options. Germany is making up the loss from nuclear power from the units shut down by import of electricity, including that of nuclear power from France and Czech Republic. It plans to increase power generation from other sources including coal and gas while keeping its Green House Gas (GHG) emission targets to make up the loss from shut down of nuclear power by 2022.
(c)&(d): India’s energy resources are limited and the demand is huge and rapidly growing. In the Indian scenario, all sources of electricity generation need to be deployed optimally. Given India’s energy resource profile, nuclear power is an important clean energy option for long term energy security and sustainability. It has to be pursued with enhanced emphasis on safety.