3.5 Impediments to Electricity Generation
95
77.7
55.5
57.3
32.7
45.9
49.6
39.7
31.1
27.3
40
23.6
19.9
21.5
23.7
16.5
12.5
28.1
3.3
2.2
25
73.3
52.1
51.7
50.7
43.6
42.7
36.4
35.9
33.3
27.6
19.7
19.4
19.1
18.3
17.5
16
15.5
3.5
2.1
1.7
Nuclear Power as % of Total Electricity in 2003
Nuclear Power as % of Total Electricity in 2013
Fig. 3.22 Nuclear energy component as % of total electricity (Source World Nuclear Association
2014)
that Germany, that once produced 20% of its power through nuclear plants, has shut
down 8 of its 17 nuclear plants and has promised to close all by 2022. France has
decided to cut its share of nuclear energy generation from 75 to 50% in next 10 years;
Sweden has decided to shift from nuclear energy to wind farms; Since Fukushima,
all but two of Japan’s 43 reactors have been suspended. Currently, only 394 nuclear
plants are in operation, down 37 from 431 in the pre-Fukushima phase in 2010. A
comparative analysis of variation in nuclear energy production by several countries
between 2003 and 2013 (Fig. 3.22) reveals that most of the western European nations
as well as USA and Canada have reduced their share of nuclear energy in total energy
basket while others including India, Hungary, and Russia have increased their share
(World Nuclear Association 2014).
Box - 2
436 power generating nuclear reactors in 30 countries have
accumulated hundreds of thousands of spent fuels and continue
to increase by 10000 tons a year. Much of this is held in tanks,
ponds, and other storage units. These wastes are highly
radioactive. For example, plutonium 239 with a half-life of 24000
years can result in major catastrophe in the event of an accident
involving these plants. "
[Mason, 2013]
Looking at the overall trend and public perception about nuclear energy worldwide, there are greater chances that most of the countries will curb and eventually
phase out nuclear energy in favor of renewables. In any case India will not lose much
as compared to many other nations (Fig. 3.23) and it will be a wise decision to shift
to other alternatives at the earliest possible.
95
77.7
55.5
57.3
32.7
45.9
49.6
39.7
31.1
27.3
40
23.6
19.9
21.5
23.7
16.5
12.5
28.1
3.3
2.2
25
73.3
52.1
51.7
50.7
43.6
42.7
36.4
35.9
33.3
27.6
19.7
19.4
19.1
18.3
17.5
16
15.5
3.5
2.1
1.7
Nuclear Power as % of Total Electricity in 2003
Nuclear Power as % of Total Electricity in 2013
Fig. 3.22 Nuclear energy component as % of total electricity (Source World Nuclear Association
2014)
that Germany, that once produced 20% of its power through nuclear plants, has shut
down 8 of its 17 nuclear plants and has promised to close all by 2022. France has
decided to cut its share of nuclear energy generation from 75 to 50% in next 10 years;
Sweden has decided to shift from nuclear energy to wind farms; Since Fukushima,
all but two of Japan’s 43 reactors have been suspended. Currently, only 394 nuclear
plants are in operation, down 37 from 431 in the pre-Fukushima phase in 2010. A
comparative analysis of variation in nuclear energy production by several countries
between 2003 and 2013 (Fig. 3.22) reveals that most of the western European nations
as well as USA and Canada have reduced their share of nuclear energy in total energy
basket while others including India, Hungary, and Russia have increased their share
(World Nuclear Association 2014).
Box - 2
436 power generating nuclear reactors in 30 countries have
accumulated hundreds of thousands of spent fuels and continue
to increase by 10000 tons a year. Much of this is held in tanks,
ponds, and other storage units. These wastes are highly
radioactive. For example, plutonium 239 with a half-life of 24000
years can result in major catastrophe in the event of an accident
involving these plants. "
[Mason, 2013]
Looking at the overall trend and public perception about nuclear energy worldwide, there are greater chances that most of the countries will curb and eventually
phase out nuclear energy in favor of renewables. In any case India will not lose much
as compared to many other nations (Fig. 3.23) and it will be a wise decision to shift
to other alternatives at the earliest possible.