Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state, which have over 50 and 40 per cent reserves of Uranium and Thorium, can make best use of these reserves by expediting the process of setting up nuclear reactors through the Central government, said scientists of the Indian Nuclear Society.
These atomic minerals, (one ounce of Uranium releases as much energy as 100 metric tons of coal), would be the future energy source as the per unit cost of production would remain the same for the next 50 years, unlike coal and other sources.
“The fuel cost of thermal plants depends on the price of coal, which has been increasing. While the fuel cost of Uranium is very less as three lorries of Uranium would be sufficient for an entire year,” said N. Saibaba, distinguished scientist and chief executive, Nuclear Fuel Complex.
Currently, the power production cost using coal varies from Rs 2.50 to Rs 6 per unit, which could increase over the years. While cost of generating power using atomic material through a nuclear reactor would be Rs 5-Rs 6 per unit, which would remain stable for the next 50 years. Along with other sustainable forms of energy like wind and solar, nuclear power is a low carbon power generation source. While AP is in the process of setting up a 3000-4000 MW nuclear reactor in Srikakulam, the TS government has expressed its interest but things are yet to be set in motion.
“Land acquisition for the nuclear reactor in AP is going on at a good pace. The reactor will be imported from France as per the agreement,” said an NFC scientist.
