India, China to see growth in nuke energy sector: IAEA

Vienna, Sep 20 (PTI) Notwithstanding the Fukushima
nuclear accident, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
feels that the "continuous and significant growth" in the
global atomic sector would largely be driven by countries like
India and China.
Noting that following the nuke accident in Japan, there
was speculation that the expansion in interest in nuclear
power, as seen in recent years could come to an end, IAEA
Director General (DG) Yukiya Amano said, it is clear that
there will, in fact, be "continuous and significant growth" in
the use of nuclear power in the next two decades.
He however admitted that the growth would be at a slower
rate than in the agency's previous projections.
"We expect the number of operating nuclear reactors in
the world to increase by about 90 by 2030, in our low
projection, or by around 350, in our high projection, from the
current total of 432 reactors.
"Most of the growth will occur in countries that already
have operating nuclear power plants, such as China and India,"
he said at the opening of the 55th IAEA General Conference
yesterday.
The DG also admitted the accident at the Fukushima
Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan has caused deep "public
anxiety throughout the world and damaged confidence in nuclear
power."
Asserting that nuclear security remains an extremely
important issue for all States, the DG, during his address
also talked about 32 incidents involving the theft or loss of
nuclear or other radioactive material.
"Incidents of this nature demonstrate that security
weaknesses continue to exist and must be addressed," he added.
After earthquake and Tsunami struck Japan on March 11 this
year, there was a series of equipment failures, nuclear
meltdowns, and releases of radioactive materials at the
country's Fukushima I nuclear power plant.
The Fukushima disaster is the largest nuclear accident
since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.