Committed to development of nuclear energy: PM calls for development of all energy resources

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said that there is a need to develop all our energy resources, whether coal, gas, oil, hydro and nuclear along with renewables, such as wind and solar power.

Speaking at the laying of the foundation stone of the Rajiv Gandhi Urja Bhavan today Dr Singh said that there are many options of using alternative fuels and technologies. From a long-term perspective, nuclear energy and solar energy can play an important role in addressing our energy security needs, he said, adding, "Our Government is committed to the development of nuclear energy".

The prime minister said that we are blessed with an abundance of solar energy, it could be a major energy source in the coming years and we must invest in research and development for commercial use of solar energy.

He said that several non-conventional energy sources fall in the domain of high technology and are presently commercially not viable. The immediate need is to develop these technologies to make such energy available to the masses in the shortest possible time, he added.

Underlining the need of energy, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that real energy security implies assured supply of good quality energy at affordable prices. He said, "When we aim for a 10 per cent growth rate, we must recognise the critical importance of energy security. Indias energy needs, which will grow with the pace of economic development, cannot be met with oil and gas for long,"

Expressing his concern over the growing import bills for imported crude oil, he said that as we grow, import oil bill will put an unbearable and an unsustainable burden on our economy.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, union minister for petroleum and natural gas, Murli Deora, minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dinsha Patel, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Tejinder Khanna, Delhi chief minister Smt Shiela Dikshit were among those present on the occasion.