Small N-power plants: global societies seem keen to accept associated risks, costs

By Shankar Sharma*
A latest report from Japan says: ”Japan eyes return to nuclear power more than a decade after Fukushima disaster.”
Germany also is reported to be thinking on similar lines. China is reported to be only increasing its ambitions on nuclear power. Our own NITI Aayog "experts" are advocating for widespread usage of small modular reactors (SMR) to provide a considerable percent of electricity through nuclear power without considering the overall costs, risks and impacts on our communities.
The global societies seem to be more than keen to accept any associated risks and costs in such technologies, instead of reducing their energy demand slightly, and to modify their lifestyles; even if these risks are life threatening in nature. Whereas, a modest reduction in the overall energy demand is socio-economically feasible & attractive, and is vastly more sustainable and green, the increased usage of fossil fuels and nuclear fuels seem to be the most preferred options for our authorities. Costs and risks to the larger society seem to be of no concern to them.
For example, a 10-15% reduction in the AT&C loss in India's electric power network is both essential and techno-economically feasible, considerable reduction in the legitimate demand for electricity (say 20-30%) is both desirable and socially be acceptable. By doing so with all the seriousness possible at all levels of our society, our country can completely eliminate the need for any nuclear power plants (including the elimination of the existing ones), and can drastically reduce the total number of fossil fuel power plants in the next 10-15 years, and to eliminate most of them by 2040-50; certainly much before 2070.
Hence, the haunting question: why our governments are continuing to pour our meager resources in opening more coal mines, coal power plants, and nuclear power plants? Shall we not ask the concerned authorities to to provide explanation in this regard? Have anyone of us asked for the same?
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*Power & Climate Policy Analyst

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