| As a developing country with the second largest population in the world, India's energy needs will continue to grow steadily in the coming decades. A significant proportion of India's oil, coal and natural gas are imported because of a dearth of indigenous energy resources. This creates a situation of energy dependence and is a potential national security issue. As a result, the government is embarking on an ambitious plan to have nuclear power generate 25% of electricity in 2050 -- up from 3.7% in 2012. The aim is to be running on thorium fast-breeder reactors, that are currently in development, by that time. India's vast reserves of thorium would mean that this would improve energy security, while also improving access to energy for the large part of its population that remains without it.;However, nuclear energy is controversial. Issues of safety and viability must be addressed adequately if nuclear energy is to be pursued. Civil-society concerns about the displacement of people and the degradation or changes in environment around plants and its consequences must also be appropriately addressed. The aim of this paper is to ascertain if it is indeed in India's strategic interest to invest in nuclear energy. Within a theoretical framework of energy security the paper will seek to identify what changes should be made in the sector to guide and manage the process of expanding nuclear-power generation is also important if prescribing this course of action. |
